Copyright © 2003 by Tony Medley

Chief of Police Matt Lee Whitlock (Denzell Washington) gets involved with an old high school flame, Ann Merai Harrison (Sanaa Latham), who is married to a thoroughly unlikable NFL quarterback, Chris Harrison (Dean Cain). Suddenly Matt finds himself in a pickle and vulnerable to charges of murder and embezzlement. He knows that circumstantial evidence would make him look guilty as sin if anyone started connecting the dots. Worse, the detective in charge of the investigation is Matt’s estranged wife, Alex Diaz Whitlock (Eva Mendes).

 The cinematography by Theo Van de Sande beautifully captures the mood of life in a small Florida coastal town.  The confrontations between Matt and Chris, who obviously hate each other, are sparklingly electric.  This is an atmospheric, neo-noir thriller totally devoid of profanity, nudity, and graphic violence that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.

 October 10, 2003

 The End