I remember when this film came out, back in what may have been the greatest year in film history: 1999. It was a high-strung thriller, even higher-strung than the lead character, Amelia Donaghy, played by Angelina Jolie. Donaghy is a character who may be beautiful, but truly shines because of her brains, even if, perhaps, she had been a model in a previous life.
From the surface level of New York’s gritty street world, she is plunged, through her police work, into the city’s grungy underground, eventually becoming a forensic specialist. She is pushed along by Denzel Washington’s character, Lincoln Rhyme, a brilliant but paralysed forensic genius. The rest of the cast supports the story and these leads with strength, driven by a well-written script and a film crew committed to creating something as close to a masterpiece as they could.
The classic thriller recipe, finding clues and piecing them together, is literally put under the microscope in this film, making it incredibly engaging. The story is strung together through the powerful interactions between the two leads, each holding their own and driving the narrative forward through the development of their own arcs.
Watching it now, from a future where Jolie is known largely for her striking looks, it’s refreshing to see those features put somewhat aside to showcase a character with wit and cunning that may not always be considered altogether feminine, but whose physical presence commands them as such. Donaghy’s journey from beat cop to forensic specialist is accelerated as the NYPD navigates the gruesome crimes of a sophisticated serial killer.
The story unfolds in a way that keeps the audience guessing. The killer clearly understands forensics, which creates tension, especially as the investigation takes place around Lincoln in his spacious apartment, immobilised but fully aware. Yet the real enjoyment comes from the scientific processes the main characters follow to unravel the mysteries of the madman’s crimes.
This film feels like a solid precursor to later thrillers such as Saw, where victims remain alive only for as long as the killer allows, but with a lot more finesse. The odds are always against them, and the pressure builds on Lincoln, adding another layer of tension, as his condition leaves him vulnerable to mortal danger at any moment. The other strong woman in the room, Thelma (his nurse, played by Queen Latifah) brings a fierce energy to the careful, unwavering care she provides for him. Her presence grounds the story and balances the intensity of the thriller with genuine human connection through caretaking.
Overall, this is a tightly wound, smart thriller that excels both in character depth and in the intricate unraveling of a chilling mystery. It even came with a creepy little ape that featured suspended from a rearview mirror. It’s a film that rewards attention, and watching it now, it remains as compelling and satisfying as it was upon its release, a testament to the craft and the chemistry at its center.
