Search - Murderous Intent on DVD

A Dark, Finely Wrought Mystery of the Highest Caliber!

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 08/17/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For some strange reason the very fine Australian/British film LIKE MINDS underwent a name change and hit the US market as MURDEROUS INTENT. The original title is so much more apropos of the story: the alternate title tends to make the audience pass over 'just another death film' category that prevents this excellent little film from appealing to a wide audience. Writer/Director Gregory J. Reed and his talented cast and production staff deserve better as this is a stunning psychological drama well worth seeing.

The setting is an all boys' prep school and among the students is Alex (a very fine young Eddie Redmayne) who happens to be the son of the headmaster (Patrick Malahide) and is a brilliant scholar - if somewhat of a troublemaker at the same time. Into this setting arrives a new student Nigel (an equally fine young Tom Sturridge) who is a darkly quiet, malevolent, bright lad preoccupied with history and necrophilia. The two boys are placed together as roommates, much to Alex's objections, and gradually secrets are unraveled that show how the two boys become, via gestalt, a sum of evil greater than its parts. Alex is horrified and yet fascinated with the ritual-influenced deaths that begin to occur and when Nigel himself is murdered, Alex is the blamed.

Enter the police: McKenzie (Richard Roxburgh) arrests and charges Alex with murder, but requires substantiation from a forensic psychologist Sally (the always superb Toni Collette). Sally interviews Alex, observes his behavior and manages to get inside his mind, learn about the historical data that has directed the evil from her astute questioning sessions with Alex, and begins to follow her own intuition about the case. There are twists and turns, flashbacks to incidents, investigation details, and discoveries bordering on the occult that spin this dark yarn like a helix of fear. The ending will surprise the viewer.

The script is superb, the acting is top notch, the production design is accomplished and the musical score by Carlo Giacco is simply brilliant. This is a fine art film, graced by the quality of superior acting set by Collette, and is a tense drama that will keep an audience thinking and involved to the final credits. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, August 07"

Amazing acting..

write what you know | Atl | 01/22/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have read a lot of things online about people not understanding the ending of this movie, and I'm not positive I fully grasp it myself. I will assure you that you should watch it at least twice, I caught many things I didn't the first time.

I think a few things in this movie were a bit rushed, for instance the gestalt theory which this entire film is essentially based on is not fully explained and is hard to understand, making the movie difficult to grasp since it is so central to the whole thing.
In addition, I don't believe they developed Alex's character enough to fit the sociopathic tendencies they were claiming he had. The whole point of the movie was that both of these boys had these tendencies, but would not have acted upon them had they not met each other. That they fueled each other. It is obvious Nigel leaned toward the sociopath description, with the animals and the fascination with death etc. But where did Alex fit in? So he was troubled, his mother died and he dad didn't pay attention to him, this means he has sociopath tendencies? I just don't see it.
I think they may have missed the mark by a bit, but the overall idea is very interesting and original. The acting is superb and Tom Sturridge (Nigel) is absolutely gorgeous and..freaky..

I overall enjoyed the film.
I may have missed the mark on the interpretation as well, who knows? many have said this is one of those movies that was meant to be pondered, leaving you empty and trying to figure out what it all meant. I'm not so sure, but I say its worth buying used and finding out for yourself."

Forced to Think

Katherine Mahoney | 07/06/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've read many reviews on this movie where people did not understand the ending.
Personally, I don't think you were meant to understand the movie in one go, so if you are looking for a quick blood and fix, this isn't the movie for you. It's not going to happen. Sorry.
The two characters in this movie use various things that bond them together, Gestalt theory, the Knight Templars, Beckett, Cathars etc. You really have to follow along with the movie. It's not one where you can skip around and expect to understand.
Another thing that I think most people miss while they are watching, is that the veiwer is hearing the story from Alex's (Eddie Redmayne) point of veiw, and his point of view only. A 17 year old boy charged with murders...makes you wonder.
Watching this movie four times through now (I've had it about six months and I absolutely can't get enough of it) I noticed many things that I had not noticed the previous times.
There are also people talking about the flaws and improbabilty of it. Once again, I think those were meant to be there. It is an indeed flawed story, but once again, you are hearing the story from the voice of the accused.
It's fun to peice the movie together and come up with alternate endings. Whether or not it will ever be completely understood, is anyone's guess, and perhaps that was the way it was meant to be."

The British And Aussies Do This So Well!

Rick L. Parrish | 05/01/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Why is it that only the British and Australians can bring this kind of intense mysterious suspense film to life and breathe into it the essence that carries you along for the ride. The young cast is perfectly placed in their parts. And if Tom Sturridge doesn't ignite some teenage hearts with his looks and become a big star there is no justice...especially since he can act his way out of several paper bags at once. Toni Collete by no means lets the young men surrounding her steal anything away from her screen presence and her performance resonates with the deep abiding fear that begins to grow in the back of her mind as she investigates this murder, if indeed that's what it is. I won't dwell on the plot because it spoils the fun. Eddie Redmayne has to carry the crux of the story and this fine young actor never lets you down. Everybody is spot on including one of my favorite old pros - Patrick Malahide. For suspense that builds until you slip off the edge of your seat...see this one."