"'Beneath' it All--Hitchcock"
by Scott Mantz

"What Lies Beneath"
Harrison Ford, Michelle Pfeiffer
Directed by Robert Zemeckis

Suspicion! Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer get to the bottom of things in "What Lies Beneath"

Good eeeevening. By this point in the summer, you've probably had enough of the blistering heat, the pesky mosquitoes, and, of course, those mind-numbing Hollywood blockbusters. For those of you who are burned out on films with superheroes ("X-Men"), superstorms ("The Perfect Storm"), and superstars (everything else), what better way to take a break than with a little story about...murder! Submitted for your approval is "What Lies Beneath," an intensely paced supernatural thriller that's sure to keep you on the edge of your seat with chills, spills, and a particularly stellar performance from Michelle Pfeiffer.

Norman (Harrison Ford) and Claire (Michelle Pfeiffer) may look like the perfect couple, but looks can be deceiving. Between scientist Norman's crazy work schedule and their daughter's recent departure for college, it's been pretty quiet around the house these days. For Claire, that silence can be deafening, especially when she notices some unusual activity coming from the house next door. What starts out as mere curiosity turns into a voyeuristic obsession, but then Claire realizes that she has problems of her own. Doors won't stay closed, radios and computers turn on by themselves, and pictures mysteriously come crashing to the ground. However, it's only when she starts seeing dead people that she realizes that there's something rotten in Vermont. Fright leads to suspicion, and after some snooping around, Claire discovers that her seemingly perfect husband did a bad, bad thing.

While some horror films tip their hat to the late Alfred Hitchcock, "What Lies Beneath" goes for an all-out salute. Never mind that certain scenes and Alan Silvestri's musical score owe a lot to a certain "Psycho," but the first half of the film is practically a remake of "Rear Window." Whereas James Stewart took to spying on his neighbors to alleviate the boredom caused by his broken leg, Michelle Pfeiffer looks at it as an opportunity to take her mind off her loneliness. Pfeiffer becomes convinced that murder is in the air, but her loving husband thinks she's losing her mind.

Hitchcock had an uncanny ability of establishing a strong connection with his main protagonist while hypnotizing the audience with an ultra-intense pace, only to turn the tables to reveal a completely different film from the one that you've been watching all along. By this time, you've invested so much emotion into the movie that you're instantly shocked by the transition that inevitably occurs. They don't call Hitchcock "the Master of Suspense" for nothing!

There's no doubt that this is what director Robert Zemeckis was going for, and for at least the first half of the movie, he pulls it off. Beyond that, "What Lies Beneath" settles for a conclusion that, while visually exciting, seems out of place with the tone of the rest of the film. "Beneath" pays as much homage to modern movies like "The Changeling" and "Fatal Attraction" as it does to anything that Hitchcock made famous, but the initial psychological suspense gives way to scare tactics like doors slamming, glass breaking, and people appearing out of nowhere. Sure, it works, but considering the level of talent involved, you can't help but ask for more. Then again, this is Hollywood, and like the saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

It's been a while since Harrison Ford had a major hit, with his last being "Air Force One" in 1997. It's obvious that the former Han Solo and Indiana Jones has had a difficult time finding success outside the action genre, but it's hard to see how "Random Hearts" or "Six Days, Seven Nights" could have been better with anyone else. Besides, who can blame him for wanting to broaden his range? "What Lies Beneath" may seem like a return to form for Ford, but don't get too cozy. Let's just say that his character is different from any he's ever played before, and while he appears stiff at times, it will be more interesting to see whether the rest of the moviegoing public will embrace his role.

Ford may be the headliner, but it's actually more of a supporting role. On the other hand, Michelle Pfeiffer is in virtually every scene, and she does some of her best work in years. Once she starts spying on her neighbors and hearing noises in her own house, everybody starts doubting her sanity--including her. Her performance is filled with doubt, fear, and strength, and she pulls it all off like a pro.

If there's any Hollywood director who knows how to make a genuine crowd-pleaser, it's Robert Zemeckis. "Back to the Future" and "Forrest Gump" notwithstanding, even minor successes like "Death Becomes Her" and "Contact" still made for a good night out at the movies. The same goes for "What Lies Beneath." They sure don't make 'em like they used to, but beneath the rest of the typical Hollywood fare, here's one film that's as close as you're gonna get. So, enjoy the movie--and good eeeevening.

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