‘You take what you’ve learned from this life and use it in the next…’
I’ve watched many ’90s thrillers over the last year or so, and while many of them are badly made, poorly executed or just plain dumb, there is something about the genre and the era that keeps me going back. Dead Again is one of those classic ’90s movies that would never be released in theatres today. All star cast. Unusual premise. Singular filmmaking. And it’s mostly great…
Grace (Emma Thompson) has lost her memory. This happened a lot in the ’90s for some reason. Luckily, a talented private detective named Mike Church (Kenneth Branagh – who also directs) takes Grace’s case and agrees to try and track down her lost past. Whilst initially sceptical, a spot of hypnosis reveals a whole other subplot about past lives. Many years earlier, a love triangle between Roman and Margaret Strauss (also played by Branagh and Thompson respectively), and a local reporter (Andy Garcia) spills over into tragedy. Robin Williams also makes a welcome appearance as a former psychologist who now works in a supermarket. There is a lot going on here.
For some people, the ‘past lives’ element of this story will put them off and while it took me a while to adjust to thematically, it does end up becoming compelling, mainly as it gives Branagh and Thompson (who were married at the time of filming) the chance to demonstrate their impressive acting chops by switching between very disparate characters.
The main issue with Dead Again is that it doesn’t stick the landing. The first two-thirds of the movie in which the mystery gradually unravels and reveals itself is captivating, but the final act is underwhelming and derivative.
Ultimately, I would recommend Dead Again for any fans of Branagh or just of ’90s cinema generally. It deserves a better reputation.