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Laramie Movie Scope:
A Kiss Before Dying

Great acting overcomes predictable plot

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by Robert Roten, Film Critic
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May 1, 1991 -- Great acting can make up for a predictable plot and it certainly does in ``A Kiss Before Dying'' featuring flawless performances by Sean Young and Matt Dillon.

Dillon plays a handsome, but ruthless killer determined to take control of a large mining company by marrying the owner's daughter. Dillon plays it deadly cool except for occasional slips when he loses control and his facade momentarily crumbles and his primal rage is revealed.

Sean Young plays a dual role as the twin daughters of the owner of the mining company. First one daughter is killed and then the other unwittingly marries the killer. She becomes endangered when she begins to uncover the truth about her husband. Max Von Sydow plays the reserved father in a fine understated performance.

Director James Dearden does a good job of maintaining suspense throughout the film despite the predictability of the plot. Dillon lurks around every corner waiting to tie up another loose end by killing someone who knows too much. You start looking for him and he turns up pretty much as expected. This film is made to a higher standard than most of its type, such as the inferior ``Sleeping With the Enemy.''

On a scale of one to 10 this film rates a seven.

Click here for links to places to buy this movie in video and/or DVD format, the soundtrack, books, even used videos, games and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

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Robert Roten can be reached via e-mail at my last name at lariat dot org. [Mailer button: image of letter and envelope]

(If you e-mail me with a question about this or any other movie or review, please mention the name of the movie you are asking the question about, otherwise I may have no way of knowing which film you are referring to)