Search - Suture on DVD

MPAA Rating: NR Content Advisory: Violence, Not For Children, Adult Language, Sexual Situations Movie Release: 1994 DVD Release: 01/23/2001 Format: DVD - Black and White,Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Edition: Special Collection Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: English, French, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 36 mins Studio: MGM Members Wishing: 7 Genres: Thriller, Post-Noir (Modern Noir), Psychological Thriller

Suture, Scott McGehee and David Siegel's self-conscious exploration of identity and individuality, evokes a flashy remake of Edward D. Wood Jr.'s Jail Bait. Dennis Haysbert and Michael Harris play half-brothers Clay and Vincent Towers. Clay travels to Phoenix to meet with Vincent, whom he hasn't seen in years. Upon seeing one another, they are amazed at their resemblance to each other. Clay remarks, "Isn't it remarkable how much we look alike?" The problem is they look nothing alike: Clay is a black man who could pass for a Dallas Cowboys linebacker, while Vincent resembles Ralph Nader. Nevertheless, after their reunion, the characters in the film have trouble distinguishing between the two, which is good for Vincent. Responsible for a murder, Vincent decides to fake his own death by substituting Clay for himself -- since no one will notice the old switcheroo. Vincent arranges for Clay's body to be discovered in the aftermath of an automobile explosion. Then Vincent can flee and start a new life. Unfortunately for Vincent, Clay survives the accident. Swaddled in bandages and ointments, Clay is attended to by the beautiful Renee Descartes (Mel Harris), a plastic surgeon who busily reconstructs his face. At the same time, his psychiatrist Dr. Max Shimono (Sab Shimono) tries to reconstruct his memories. Before the healing process ends, Vincent tries to get to Clay and make sure that this time he really dies. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide

Dennis Haysbert - Clay Arlington
Mel Harris - Renee Descartes
Sab Shimono - Dr. Max Shinoda
Dina Merrill - Alice Jameson
Michael Harris - Vincent Towers

This low-budget, black-and-white thriller plays with the complications of identity and film noir style to stunning effect. The DVD plays no such identity games; it's a first-rate digital transfer and nothing more. The DVD format has proven its mastery of black-and-white movies, and Suture is an excellent example. The 2.35:1 widescreen presentation is a marvel to the eyes; Greg Gardiner's high contrast photography is a joy to behold. The mono sound is also superb. Dialogue is crisp and clear; explosions and gun shots are shocking in their intensity. Supplemental material consists solely of a theatrical trailer and a "Scene Selections" menu, which provides instant access to all 16 chapters via captions and still frames. Since the movie was such a hit at Sundance, one would expect background information, dealing with the production, cast and crew, and the movie's theatrical release. Suture definitely deserved at least these minor supplements, but they're nowhere to be found. As such, the cast and crew don't receive the usual credit or kudos that most DVDs supply. MGM/UA should have done more with the DVD to promote the upcoming filmmakers behind the movie. Suture is an interesting, mind-twisting ride of a movie, given a technically superior, bare-bones DVD release. ~ Tim DiGravina, All Movie Guide