Review of Deathtrap (1982) by Danny R — 15 Dec 2011

A diabolically delicious film that is filled with devious plot twists that include deceit, murder and mayhem, it is based on Ira Levin's long-running smash hit Broadway play, it has been brilliantly brought to the screen by veteran director Sidney Lumet.

Sir Michael Caine delivers a superlative star performance as Sidney Bruhi, a has-been thriller playwright who announces to his wife, beautifully played by Dyan Cannon that he intends to murder a young unknown playwright named Clifford Anderson, intriguingly played by the late Christopher Reeve and steal his brilliant new thriller play he had authored and pass the play off as his own.

Excellent supporting performances by Irene Worth, Henry Jones, and Joe Silver. But the real acting tour-de-force is between Caine and Reeve who play off each other so perfectly, each of them bring a dynamic tension and dark humor to their scenes together, I personally relish Caine's performance he is so cunning, manipulative and murderously sadistic, watching this old pro work is a real pleasure.

The film also benefits from the gorgeous cinematography by Andrzej Bartkowiak and the wonderful production design by Tony Walton. A wickedly witty and delightfully entertaining dark comedy thriller. Highly Recommended.