Playing God

Struck off for killing a woman under his care, junkie doctor Eugene (Duchovny) reverts to healing type when a man is shot. His action attracts the attention of gangster Raymond (Hutton), who proposes a deal. In return for keeping quiet about Raymond's activities, Eugene can practise as much medicine as he wants. The film starts with a whimper, first time director Wilson (of TV's Cracker) alloxwing the Bacardi-ad sets and sub-Pulp Fiction dialogue to float free of personality, while Duchovny wears the pained expression of a man trying to have an out-of-body experience. It flares into life, however, with the appearance of Hutton. No longer an angry innocent, he resembles Anthony Perkins, gaunt and ravaged. When Eugene asks, 'Are you going to hurt me?' and Raymond hisses, sensuously, 'Do you say that 'cos you're frightened or 'cos you want me to?' - for the first time Eugene looks intrigued. Flawed nonsense, but quite lively.