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Bossy and brusque crime investigation specialist Detective Cassie Mayweather (Sandra Bullock) is
on a new case of a dead young woman. Evidence shows that she was murdered elsewhere and then dumped beside a secluded stream. Her skills and gut instinct lead her and her
working partner Sam Kennedy (Ben Chaplin) to two high school boys as the prime suspects. The process of investigation becomes a challenge for Cassie and Sam to find clues,
reconstruct the crime incident and pinpoint the murderers, while the killers are determined to outwit the investigators—by destroying evidence and putting in misleading
clues—so they could succeed committing the perfect crime as planned.
The narrative is easy to follow. The twists in the story have something new and interesting.
However, the detailed process of the meticulous crime investigation as shown, could be tedious and boring for some viewers. A plus is the convincing acting of Richard Haywood
and Justin Pendleton (Ryan Gosling and Michael Pitt). Sandra Bullock known for her fine performance in girl-next-door roles, becomes a no-nonsense crime investigator who goes
emotional and personal in this case—a sign to her bosses that she needs a break to distance herself from her work. As this is a new role for her, it is understandable if she
tends to be too earnest in some scenes.
What makes two very intelligent boys get into trouble? Murder by Numbers
shows one boy as very rich, popular and chooses to be in fun company rather than take his studies seriously. The other is a nerd who prefers to be on his own and shuns people. Yet some complementary character traits bring them together, developing an unusual relationship that brings on trouble. On the other hand, what troubles Cassie? As she works, she also struggles with a personal problem, which makes her relate in some way to the dead woman. Thus, she disobeys orders—she is supposed to be on leave—and continues the investigation. She drinks and initiates sex with her partner. In spite of this reversal of roles, the understanding Sam remains her partner and develops a caring attitude for her. How one's intelligence and psychological condition could lead to questionable acts in
Murder by Numbers need discernment of mature viewers.
(Date reviewed: June 17, 2002)
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