Mel Gibson’s forgotten R-rated action thriller is a heart-stirring paranoia treat
Author: Robert Skuch Published
Despite the controversy surrounding Mel Gibson’s many hot-mic moments and public meltdowns in the mid-2000s, he was nearly unstoppable as an action-thriller leading man throughout the ’80s, ’90s, and early years. murder weapon, return, brave heartand patriot All of these come to mind when talking about career highs, but 1997 conspiracy theory Didn’t get the love I deserved. While it’s marketed as a political action thriller, which is accurate, the real charm lies in conspiracy theory Its dark humor stems from Gibson’s total devotion to his character, Jerry Fletcher.
A paranoid campaign centered on corrupt government officials, conspiracy theory The reason it hits so hard is because we’re not dealing with the usual tinfoil hat protagonist. Well, technically we do, but in this case, his paranoia makes sense because everything he says is true. He knows this, and so does the audience. The fun comes from waiting for others to catch up to him, including the CIA and his lover. We also need Jerry’s own spiraling thoughts to keep up with him, since he’s so wildly obsessed with conspiracy theories that even he’s not sure which conspiracy theory has gotten him into trouble.
conspiracy theory For these reasons, it’s a treat to watch. Despite mixed reviews, with a 59% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s fast-paced, fun, and hearty enough to appeal to the masses.
Your typical paranoid conspiracy. drug addict
conspiracy theory No time is wasted setting up Jerry Fletcher as an overly paranoid lover of conspiracy theories. As a cab driver, he rattled off his dissatisfaction with fluoride, the JFK assassination, and how Jerry Garcia was still alive and in hiding. He published a newsletter with the aptly titled title conspiracy theoryliving alone in a cramped apartment with the kind of politically radical literature you’d expect from the walls. He also locked all appliances, including the refrigerator, with combination locks, just in case.
Jerry is also obsessed with a lawyer named Alice Sutton (Julia Roberts), and his feelings are obviously one-sided. He pops up in her office to rattle off whatever plot he’s currently focusing on, which Alice allows because he’s basically harmless. They actually become friends because he saved her from a robbery before, so she has some sympathy for his madness.
the real fun is conspiracy theory In the form of Dr. Jonas, played by Patrick Stewart, a psychiatrist working for the CIA who has some connection to Jerry. When Jerry is kidnapped by Dr. Jonas and tortured and interrogated, he makes a daring escape and seeks help from Alice, who slowly learns that Jerry may not be as crazy as he first appears. This dynamic works really well because as a viewer, you want Jerry to be vindicated at some point. He’s caught up in a legal conspiracy, but everyone else must catch up to him. Dr. Jonas and his men are relentless in their pursuit of Jerry, who may actually be closer to Alice than either of them fully realizes.
Mel Gibson looks like a good fit
Mel Gibson leaves no stone unturned and delivers the goods conspiracy theory. His performance doesn’t get enough credit because he was completely committed to the role of Jerry. The real clue comes early in the apartment scene, when we learn about Jerry’s daily life. Relying solely on muscle memory to set booby traps, open the refrigerator and handle newsletters, Gibson feels completely in sync with Jerry Fletcher. This routine looks natural, as if he was living it a month before filming began.
Once Alice is fully involved, things get even more interesting because Jerry is truly unhinged. Beneath his surface madness, the wheels in his skull are spinning at breakneck speed, and when Alice manages to slow him down, he suddenly starts to make sense. It’s clear that they’re all caught up in something bigger than themselves, and Dr. Jonas isn’t being completely honest about his intentions.
Serious as conspiracy theory That said, it benefits greatly from its situational humor. Mel Gibson slathering oatmeal on his face before escaping the hospital and hiding in the back seat like a kid in trouble at football practice while a disappointed and confused Alice drives him around town following his ridiculous clues is pure gold. It’s the stuff you’d expect from a slapstick comedy, but it fits perfectly conspiracy theoryboth as comic relief and as a way to sell how far Jerry has actually come.
it proves in the best possible way
The best part is about conspiracy theory It’s not really any mind games being played. We are introduced to a crazy man, only to discover that he is not as crazy as we first thought. His rants undoubtedly shook 4-Chan’s energy, but he was proven right early on and had to rely on his own twisted logic to survive. When he is first interrogated by Dr. Jonas, he is completely honest about not knowing which specific plot he is being punished for, and the audience is equally unsure.
This uncertainty is immediately contrasted with something far more sinister in the form of a real conspiracy within which Jerry finds himself trapped. We know he’s unstable, but we also know he’s right. We just don’t know exactly what he’s saying is right, and the real thrill comes from following him down that rabbit hole.
As of this writing, conspiracy theory Stream for free on Tubi.
