Deathtrap

source: Deathtrap

Trailer—Deathtrap

Deathtrap

The writing and acting in this are absolutely top notch, and it shows how great of an actor Christopher Reeve was. He didn't really get a chance to demonstrate it in Superman, which is what he's mostly known for. Casting him and Michael Caine was ingenius. As a kid, I watched this movie multiple times in the 80s and it made me want to be a writer.

I first saw "Deathtrap" in the theater (Bellerose, NY). Then I saw it a bunch of times on WHT (early Queens cable). I've always enjoyed this movie. Last night I watched it again for the first time in many moons. I still really enjoy it. The cast is terrific. The top three, MIchael Caine, Christopher Reeve and Dyan Cannon, are all excellent. Movies with twists and turns aren't usually my cup of tea. "Deathtrap" is an exception. It's a rollercoaster that is definitely worth the ride. Honorable mention: the set design.

No one better spoil this piece of work! Awesome movie! Written expertly by the likes of Ira Levin and depicted with the best performance of Christopher Reeve's career and one of Caine's very best, this is simply excellent. I wish I could catch a staged version somewhere...maybe someday I will. I hope this grossly underrated, overlooked film has not become too difficult to locate because it a 'must' for any Hitchcockian, Agatha-phile or lover of great film. One of very few movies I couldn't instantly solve or predict and worth a second or even third viewing, "Deathtrap" gets a 9/10 and earns every iota of it. We need and deserve more movies like this!

A twisty turny thriller from Sidney Lumet that's a lot of fun. Michael Caine is excellent as a blocked writer who hatches the diabolical scheme of murdering a young playwright (Christopher Reeve) so he can steal his terrific new play and pass it off as his own. But that's just the beginning. From there, it's a game of who's conning who and what's the next plot twist going to be? Reeve is surprisingly fantastic in this. I say surprisingly because I never gave him much credit as a serious actor, but he's really good in this playing a wide range of emotions. Dyan Cannon rounds out the trio of stars, and while she's good with what she's given to do, I couldn't help but wish the original play upon which this movie is based (or the screen adaptation for that matter) had given her some plot twists of her own. Just a really good bit of escapist fun. Grade: A

"Deathtrap" is a cat-and-mouse game where the roles of the cat and the mouse are constantly reversed. It's a multilayered script (it's a movie about a play being written based on the movie we are seeing!), with witty dialogue ("You wanna know how good this play is? It's so good that not even a gifted director can hurt it!") and some mind-blowing twists for first-time viewers, while Sidney Lumet's inventive direction prevents any claustrophobia from setting in. Michael Caine gives one of his finest - and funniest - performances; his phone call for an ambulance is a classic. Christopher Reeve is also terrific, playing both to and against type. Dyan Cannon is a bit too hysterical, but she has one great scene where her dark side starts coming out. The movie only falters a little in the penultimate sequence, which is unnecessarily murky; other than that, it is even better than I remembered from my previous viewings. ***1/2 out of 4.

As one reviewer said "It's hard to talk about this film without giving too much away" - and I do agree with this statement about the film. This is a movie one just has to simply watch for themselves because if you are told to much about the film then it would ruin the entire movie. Is Deathtrap good? Yes it is a very good mystery dramedy (comedy-drama). It has it's comical moments but the film also has it's times of drama. If you like mysteries then you may enjoy this film. Are you wanting a double feature? I would recommend this movie (Deathtrap) along with movies like: "Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid", "Clue", "Sleuth", or "Murder by Death". 8/10