Dead Again

8/23/19911h 47m

Theatrical Release (US)

~ How many times can you die for love? ~

Overview:

In 1949, composer Roman Strauss is executed for the murder of his wife. In 1990s Los Angeles, a detective comes across a mute amnesiac woman who is somehow linked to the Strauss murder.

Director:

Kenneth Branagh

Status:

Released

Language:

English

Buget:

$15,000,000.00

Revenue:

$38,016,380.00

Key words:

amnesia
fortune teller
nightmare
san francisco, california
hypnosis
twist
lovers
romance
private investigator
psychological thriller
therapy
dual role
orchestra conductor
gumshoe

Cast

Kenneth Branagh

~ as ~

Roman Strauss / Mike Church

Emma Thompson

~ as ~

Margaret Strauss / Grace

Derek Jacobi

~ as ~

Franklyn Madson

Andy Garcia

~ as ~

Gray Baker

Wayne Knight

~ as ~

Pete Dugan

Robin Williams

~ as ~

Cozy Carlisle

Richard Easton

~ as ~

Father Timothy

Jo Anderson

~ as ~

Sister Madeleine / Starlet

Hanna Schygulla

~ as ~

Inga

Campbell Scott

~ as ~

Doug O'Malley

View full cast & crew

Reviews (3)

t
talisencrw
Written 9 year(s) ago
9
By far, my favourite film of Branagh's that he's directed. A solid mystery/thriller--the kind that's not done enough these days IMHO. Though he's certainly diversified his oeuvre recently, what with Disney remakes and even superhero films, I wish he had done a lot more like this one, rather than, high-quality as they are, a metric tonne of yet-more Shakespearean adaptations.
DocTerminus
Written 3 year(s) ago
9
Kenneth Branagh's first film, HENRY V, was a critical triumph. But since it was a Shakespeare story, it is overlooked as high-brow. With DEAD AGAIN as his sophomore directorial effort, Branagh has a film for the popcorn crowd. If HENRY V was tonally like a Laurence Olivier film, DEAD AGAIN is tonally like an Alfred Hitchcock movie. Filmed in 2 eras, in both color and black and white, with characters portraying multiple characters, a private eye, reincarnation, a fortune teller even a femme fatale suffering from amnesia! Obviously DEAD AGAIN is a suspense thriller of old.

The screenplay by Scott Frank - screenwriter of OUT OF SIGHT, GET SHORTY and MINORITY REPORT- is taut and exciting. Branagh's creative use of camera and the thundering musical score by his musical alter ego, Patrick Doyle, marry well with that script.

Once again, Branagh carries the film in front and behind the camera. This time taking on 2 different roles, as does his one-time wife Emma Thompson. While some from his Shakespeare community appear in other roles, Branagh embraces his first Hollywood film by bringing on board American actors, like Andy Garcia and Robin Williams.

In the end, story is king in DEAD AGAIN. It is fun and exciting and easily one of the best films of 1991.

"...two halves of the same person. Nothing can separate them, not even death.”
JPV852
Written 5 month(s) ago
6
Decent enough albeit convoluted as well, but I found it to be watchable and an interesting enough premise, although somewhat weird hearing Branaugh put on an American 'accent'. Nice seeing Robin Williams especially since his name isn't on the front cover. Nothing amazing but still worth checking out. 3.0/5