Introduction"Taking Lives", directed by D. J. Caruso, is a mental thriller film released in 2004. This movie is an adaptation of Michael Pye's book of the exact same name. It stars Angelina Jolie as FBI Special Agent Illeana Scott with supporting roles by actors like Ethan Hawke, Kiefer Sutherland, Olivier Martinez, and Gena Rowlands.
Plot and Character OverviewJolie plays Illeana Scott, a sharp and non-traditional FBI representative. Scott is renowned for her special approach of profiling, which involves immersing herself in horrific criminal offense scenes, and spatially putting herself in the state of mind of the criminals to unwind their intentions and identities.
The thriller begins when Illeana Scott is welcomed by a Canadian Police Department, to assist catch a serial killer- who presently had been on a killing spree for the past 20 years- by assuming the identities of his victims. A receptor of the criminal activity welcomes the law as he witnessed the current crime spree, committed at the hands of the ruthless serial killer.
Story DevelopmentThe primary witness and receptor, James Costa (played by Ethan Hawke), an art merchant, provides a much-needed advancement in the case as he witnessed the most current murder. Costa closely teams up with Scott on the case, stating eyewitness accounts that help piece together the profile of the secret killer. While doing so, Costa and Scott establish a romantic relationship.
As the story unfolds, the thriller reveals that Costa is the killer Martin Asher (played by Kiefer Sutherland) who murders and after that embodies his victims' lives. The psychological tactical plan adopted by Asher is what provides the film its title, "Taking Lives".
ConclusionIn the climax, Scott handles to reveal him, however Asher fabricates his death and skillfully vanishes. Later, after Costa (as Asher) seduces and fertilizes Scott, he attempts to eliminate her. Nevertheless, Scott, making use of her profiling experience and intelligence, handles to kill him instead, justifying it as self-defense.
Overall Impression"Taking Lives" is a dark thriller that magnifies as the narrative establishes, dramatizing the grisly details of the serial killings and the suspense-filled look for the killer's identity. Jolie, as Scott, in her rich representation of a figured out, courageous, and non-traditional FBI agent, includes depth to the film. The film adopts a gripping storyline, which although manifold, is basically a timeless cat-and-mouse story in between the investigator and the criminal, spun into an appealing web of suspense and act. The chilling efficiency by the antagonist, Ethan Hawke, additional boosts the motion picture's thrill factor. However, the film has actually been criticized for its predictable storyline and absence of plot depth beyond the central story. However with its riveting performances and suspenseful plotline, "Taking Lives" provides an appealing viewing experience for fans of the thriller category.
Top Cast
