Review of In the Flesh (1998) by Gage C — 11 Aug 2008

This movie keeps you interested although it has its flaws. The quality of the acting is a bit uneven, but Dane Ritter and Ed Corbin are good in their respective roles. Dane as Oliver Beck is better in my view. He is intense. You like him, and you feel the deep regret he feels. I like the use of the desktop toy that says, "I'm such an idiot!" It is a great device to show that Oliver is trying to cope with his self-hatred and regret.

The music in this movie is one of its best aspects. The music sets the tone of the film, which is dark and dangerous. Most of it takes place at night.

The watches provide Ben Taylor with a number of red herrings in his portrayal of his mystery plot. You see one on the mugger, who kills Mac. You then see one in Philip Kirsch (Ed Corbin)'s drawer and then on Detective Grupe. The point made is that at times police can be corrupted.

Oliver is no novice when it comes to adult sexual activity, but the first scene when he is at his desk writing something about himself establishes his innocence to some extent. Oliver's first connection with Philip Kirsch is his walking by Philip's home while Philip is standing on a balcony. Philip throws down a cigarette he is finished with right in front of Oliver as he is walking down the alley. Oliver snuffs the cigarette butt with his foot.

Oliver does not smoke or drink. He doesn't drink because it was his drunk driving that killed his beloved friend Chris Wingate. After Oliver meets Philip a standing joke between them is Oliver's wanting Philip to quit smoking, and Philip's reply, "I'll quit tomorrow." Oliver uses a cigarette later when he wants to get away from someone he thinks is Mac's killer.