Review of Conspiracy Theory (1997) by Ben L — 25 Feb 2016

Conspiracy Theory is a film about a crazy cab driver (played by Mel Gibson) who obsesses over a reporter (played by Julia Roberts.) Everything he tells her sounds like the ravings of a crazy guy from the tin-foil hat society, until they find themselves wrapped up in a conspiracy of their own.

I love the cast in this movie. Mel Gibson is great at playing the unhinged insanity of Jerry. There is one scene in particular that made me wonder why he never did horror, because he has the insane screams down to a science.

Julia Roberts grounds the movie and brings genuine emotion. Her character has to make some dramatic shifts of allegiance throughout the film, but I think she is capable of making those transitions believable.

Patrick Stewart proves in this film that he should play more villains. He is so creepy, particularly in his face-to-face discussions with the other leads, I feel uneasy the entire time. The story of Conspiracy Theory is a bit far-fetched and crazy, but it almost has to be so that it can match the insanity of all the conspiracies Jerry describes.

Perhaps the biggest flaw in this film is some of the convenient ways they write themselves out of a tight spot. For instance: They need to give Julia a way to get a head start running from the bad guys, so just put a loosely covered pit right there for one of them to fall in.

It's lazy writing, and it diminishes the excitement and perceived danger of the scene when it feels like the movie is always going to be on her side. However, these lazy plot points in the film aren't enough to make me dislike it.

I find it to be an entertaining mystery/action movie that is made better by a few excellent performances.