Mortal Thoughts

This intricate, intellectually satisfying and emotionally involving murder mystery risks falling between two stools. Neither an 'Alan Rudolph Film' nor a glossy star vehicle, it has a naturalistic tone, a conventional plot, measured pacing, and a serpentine narrative. It opens powerfully: Moore, giving evidence on her own free will, is questioned by detective Keitel. We flash back and forth in time as she relates events leading to an as yet unknown crime. Headly, who plays the happy-go-lucky owner of a hairdressing salon where Moore works, has a drunken, violent husband (Willis) whom she constantly jokes about bumping off. But Keitel senses that Moore's account of their volatile three-way relationship doesn't add up: who is she protecting, and from what? Rudolph makes excellent use of video technology, and coaxes outstanding performances from the three leads.