"I'm only paranoid 'cause they want me dead..."

CONSPIRACY THEORY (R) 

Reviewed August 10, 1997 - Check out the Conspiracy Theory web site.

In Conspiracy Theory, Mel Gibson once again teams up with director Richard Donner, this time starring as Jerry Fletcher, a disturbingly paranoid man living in the heart of New York city.  A cab driver by profession and writer/producer of his own "Conspiracy Theory" newsletter on the side, Fletcher rambles on about everything from the flouride in our water system, to the new $100 bill, to NASA's plot to assassinate the President.  Obsessed and on the edge, Fletcher finds conspiracies in every corner of his world, confiding in the only person who seems willing to humor him, a Justice Department attorney named Alice Sutton (Julia Roberts).

Is Jerry Fletcher just plain crazy?  Maybe.  But then he's abducted by a group of men and summarily drugged, beaten, and tortured.  "Who else knows what you know?" asks the ominous Dr. Jonas (Patrick Stewart).  Obviously Fletcher's struck a nerve with one of his theories--but which theory?  Somehow escaping from Jonas and seeking the aid of Sutton, Fletcher's ramblings are those of a lunatic, but with everybody (NYPD, FBI, CIA, blah, blah, blah) after him, you know something's definitely up. 

And so the chase begins...

Everyone familiar with Mel Gibson's work knows that he's got a knack for playing the wide-eyed, on-the-edge character just barely on the fringe of sanity.  That manic speech, that crazed look--Gibson's got it down cold and when everything's in its place, he's a joy to watch.  Unfortunately, Conspiracy Theory is a mess of a plot, turning both Gibson's and Robert's performances (which aren't bad), into a jumble of scenes alternating from moderately interesting to unintentionally pathetic.  With Mel Gibson's Fletcher running about stalking both Sutton and the bumbling conspiratorial forces, and with Julia Robert's Sutton cloaked in gullibility throughout the film, most of the pleasure of watching these actors perform is stolen away by the unbalanced nature of the story.  Even the character of Dr. Jonas, who Stewart plays in a wonderfully dark and disturbing manner, lacks credibility as he sports a silly nosebite (courtesy of Fletcher) throughout the film.

All in all, probably not a Conspiracy you want to be involved in...

Responses from cyberspace--thanks for writing!

r_gillson@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "For those of you wanting to know what the name of the song is and who it's by! The song is "You're Just To Good To Be True" by Franki Valli" (10/18/01)

girlssstar@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "I loved everything in the movie, the plot, Mel Gibson, the action, the drama, the storyline... except Julia Roberts, she's overrated. Like others on this forum, I was lead here because I need to find out where I can buy "Youre just too good to be true" or whatever the song is called. I just love that version, but I dont know who sings it, or where to look to buy it. Please help me." (5/9/01)

nigararslan@hotmail.com says: " in this movie they sing a very beautiful song.but i don't know the name of it.if you know please please mail me its name and singer. the song is like that ... youre just too good to be true....." (2/8/01)

Fe_armstrong@yahoo.com gives this movie  stars: "Can someone PLEASE email me and tell me the name of the damn song that was sung troughout the movie "Conspiracy Theory". I am in NZ and cannot get the soundtrack here...but want to know what the song is...I hope someone can help me out...it is driving me nuts....Thanks...Fe Armstrong." (7/22/98)