MOVIE OF THE DAY: DEAD AGAIN

I went through a pretty nerdy Brannagh-Thompson phase back in their hey day so watched this film quite a bit. It;s a definite fun watch with Branagh giving nods to noir and Hitchcock and getting his old thesp mentor Derek Jacobi into a juicy role, but what I always loved most is how it completely embraces it's central conceit of reincarnation and karmic retribution enacted through many lives. Brannaghs character may be a skeptic at first but it pnly takes a few wtf scenes along with a bit of cameo exposition in the form of a world weary and very enjoyable Robin Williams to get him 100% onboard.

I miss Brannagh and Thompson acting together. Hell I miss Brannagh acting at all.

It's not great enough to be on top of either Brannagh's or Thompson's filmographies but it's quite fun. And very stylish. I too wish Brannagh directed more stuff.

When this first came out, Emma wasn't really known in the states, and I totally thought she was two different actresses for the first half of the film.

I still quote Jacobi's "I, for one, am VUH VUH Very curious..."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammerhead 

I still quote Jacobi's "I, for one, am VUH VUH Very curious..."

Right on, brother.

Jacobi represents at least 50% of what makes the film for me.  The more one is familiar with his body of work the more brilliant his performance becomes.

I recall seeing this in the theater.  There's a moment when a certain pair of scissors does a cool sliding thing that'll take your breath away.  In the beat following the shot, I couldn't help but exclaim, "What a great movie!"  My bride and I went on to hang a Dead Again poster in our living room, and we still routinely say, "THIS time, it isn't going to happen!"

Thanks for the great piece and the warm memories, Elizabeth.  I love this film.

I'm glad so many got behind this one. :) It was a fun one to write up!

I used to love this film when it first came out, also loved the film Shattered which trod similar territory around the same time.

Haven't seen either in about 15 years so I am curious as to whether they stand up and this article made me decide to seek them out!

I own this on DVD, although it doesn't have that cool one-sheet for the cover.  Have always unashamedly loved it after catching in on a late-night TV showing.  Something about the whole vibe of the film just clicks for me.  Weird that, years later, Dream Theater (who I LOVED back then) did a concept album heavily (and openly) influenced by this film.  Fantastic album, by the way.