Review of Playing God (1997) by Corey N — 31 Jan 2010

This is a decent crime thriller. The movie stars David Duchovny, Timothy Hutton and Angelina Jolie. Duchovny plays a doctor who loses his medical license when he becomes addicted to amphetamines. But he soons finds a new job by chance to be a doctor again for a local crime syndicate.

They want him to be their doctor on call. They supply him money and the amphetamines as the price. Of course he goes over his head with this and has the feds and crime syndictae on his back. Duchovny is solid as the lead hero.

I liked his character. Timothy Hutton is great as the crime syndicate boss. Jolie has a small role in the movie but still good in the role. The movie story is decent and entertaining. A bit choppy and rushed at times.

And some of the scenes of the film tries to be like a Snatch or Boondocks Saints movie. I remember a interview with Duchovny who said a love scene with Jolie was taken out of the story. He said it didn't make sense for the film.

She was healing from a gun shot wound and he was fighting his addiction from drugs. It would not have made sense. He has a point. Overall though I enjoyed the movie. It could have been done a little better but it entertained me.

Worth at least a one time watch.