Above Suspicion (2019) This is a sad ugly rendition of a true life crime story that offers one and only one feature to recommend it....a bravura performance from British actress Emelia Clarke (whom millions cherish as the 'Mother of Dragons' from 'Game Of Thrones').
It's no fun to endure, other than to marvel at the versatile Ms. Clarke playing Susan Smith, a down-on-her-luck, poverty level housewife barely eking out an existence in rural Kentucky.
Into the neighborhood comes fresh-out-of-training FBI agent Mark Putnam (Jack Huston). He's eager to snag himself a high profile arrest to further his career, and ends up with equally ambitious Smith as a confidential informant.
Before long, this damaged pair with moral compasses gone wild engage in a hot 'n heavy affair. Naturally, this overheated state of affairs doesn't sit well with Mark's wife Kathy (Sophie Lowe), herself a recovering alcoholic.
What else could go wrong? Everything you'd expect and more, which we'll not reveal for anyone not familiar with the events the film's based on.
But come to think of it, the film spills its own spoiler with its misguided narration that it copied "Sunset Boulevard".
Clarke's remarkable work here was the only thing that held us to this grungy, unhappy tale. Jack Huston does his best as the slimy Putnam, but it's not his movie.....his character's only there to further energize Clarke's ever increasing panic and needy desperation. You simply cannot take your eyes off her as she spirals into tragedy.
Quite a modest change of pace for director Philip Noyce, who made his reputation with high profile action-adventures like the Harrison Ford-Tom Clancy thrillers "Patriot Games" and "Clear and Present Danger". He tells this grim story competently enough, but the film never achieved much traction with audiences.....not arty enough for the culture-vulture crowd and not revved up enough for the multiplex popcorn munchers.
For the most fervent fans of Emelia Clarke (yes, we admit it), it's a must see. (With us, she qualifies as an actress whom we'd gladly watch reading the phone book).
For everyone else, maybe if the real stuff on display intrigue you. Otherwise, consider it a 2 star (**) so-so film you could easily live without.
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