Dead Again

By far, my favourite film of Branagh's that he's directed. A solid mystery/thriller--the kind that's not done enough these days IMHO. Though he's certainly diversified his oeuvre recently, what with Disney remakes and even superhero films, I wish he had done a lot more like this one, rather than, high-quality as they are, a metric tonne of yet-more Shakespearean adaptations.

Kenneth Branagh's first film, HENRY V, was a critical triumph. But since it was a Shakespeare story, it is overlooked as high-brow. With DEAD AGAIN as his sophomore directorial effort, Branagh has a film for the popcorn crowd. If HENRY V was tonally like a Laurence Olivier film, DEAD AGAIN is tonally like an Alfred Hitchcock movie. Filmed in 2 eras, in both color and black and white, with characters portraying multiple characters, a private eye, reincarnation, a fortune teller even a femme fatale suffering from amnesia! Obviously DEAD AGAIN is a suspense thriller of old.

The screenplay by Scott Frank - screenwriter of OUT OF SIGHT, GET SHORTY and MINORITY REPORT- is taut and exciting. Branagh's creative use of camera and the thundering musical score by his musical alter ego, Patrick Doyle, marry well with that script.

Once again, Branagh carries the film in front and behind the camera. This time taking on 2 different roles, as does his one-time wife Emma Thompson. While some from his Shakespeare community appear in other roles, Branagh embraces his first Hollywood film by bringing on board American actors, like Andy Garcia and Robin Williams.

In the end, story is king in DEAD AGAIN. It is fun and exciting and easily one of the best films of 1991.

"...two halves of the same person. Nothing can separate them, not even death.”

Decent enough albeit convoluted as well, but I found it to be watchable and an interesting enough premise, although somewhat weird hearing Branaugh put on an American 'accent'. Nice seeing Robin Williams especially since his name isn't on the front cover. Nothing amazing but still worth checking out. 3.0/5