Copycat (1995)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Director:

Jon Amiel

Writers (WGA):

Ann Biderman (written by) and
David Madsen (written by)

Release Date:

27 October 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

One man is copying the most notorious killers in history one at a time. Together, two women must stop him from killing again. Or they're next.

Plot:

An agoraphobic psychologist and a female detective must work together to take down a serial killer who copies serial killers from the past.

Plot Keywords:

Serial Killer | Psychologist | Detective | Computer | Murder

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Sigourney Weaver	...	Helen Hudson
Holly Hunter	...	M.J. Monahan
Dermot Mulroney	...	Reuben Goetz
William McNamara	...	Peter Foley
Harry Connick Jr.	...	Daryll Lee Cullum
J.E. Freeman	...	Lt. Thomas Quinn
Will Patton	...	Nicoletti
John Rothman	...	Andy
Shannon O'Hurley	...	Susan Schiffer
Bob Greene	...	Pachulski
Tony Haney	...	Kerby
Danny Kovacs	...	Kostas
Tahmus Rounds	...	Landis
Scott DeVenney	...	Cop #1
David Michael Silverman	...	Mike

Also Known As:

'Modelo' gia fono (Greece) [el]
Cópia Mortal (Portugal) [pt]
Copycat (France) [fr]
Copycat - El imitador (Argentina) [es]
Copycat - kopiomurhaaja (Finland) [fi]
Copycat - omicidi in serie (Italy) [it]
Copycat: copia mortal (Spain) [es]
Copykill (Germany) [de]
El imitador (Venezuela) [es]
Imitator (Croatia) [hr]
Kopya cinayetler (Turkey: Turkish title) [tr]
L'imitateur (Canada: French title) [fr]
Posnemovalec (Slovenia) [sl]
Psychopata (Poland) [pl]
Tökéletes másolat (Hungary) [hu]

MPAA:

Rated R for violence and language.

Runtime:

123 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #34118) | Iceland:16 | Finland:K-16 (cut) | Finland:K-18 (uncut) | Australia:M (TV rating) | Philippines:R-18 | New Zealand:R18 | Netherlands:16 | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Chile:18 | Denmark:16 | Germany:16 | Norway:18 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:PG | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | France:-12

Filming Locations:

Hollywood Center Studios - 1040 N. Las Palmas Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Regency Enterprises

Trivia:

The climactic bathroom scene took 8 days to film.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): When Dr. Hudson is suggesting the copycat killer (Peter Folley) will most likely mimic Ted Bundy's infamous January 15, 1978 Chi Omega slayings she makes numerous mistakes in describing that specific crime to Inspector Monahan. Ted Bundy did not wear a cast or walk on crutches to this crime scene as a ploy to con his way in, nor did he "drive up" in a VW bug. He went to the sorority house on foot and broke in, clubbing the sorority sisters as they were sleeping, before sneaking out again. Dr. Hudson also incorrectly states that all three girls died in that incident; one of the girls, Cheryl Thomas, survived the attacks.

Quotes:

Daryll Lee Cullum: I'm death and life to you, doc... death and life.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Adam and Joe Show: (#1.3)" (1996)

Soundtrack:

Murder by Numbers

Gripping; definitely _not_ a carbon copy.

Contrary to what several users have written, "Copycat" is _not_ "Silence of the Lambs 2". Nor is it a rip-off of "Se7en", or an exploitation flick, or any other negative labels that have been foisted upon it. Rather, it's a gripping, and largely intriguing thriller that succeeds thanks to performances by two confident female leads, competent direction, intelligent writing, and an appropriately foreboding score courtesy of Christopher Young, who's fast becoming one of my favorite film composers.

Sigourney Weaver hits the right notes as the agoraphobic psychiatrist, especially early on, as we see the depths to which she has shut herself off from the outside world, creating her own safe little corner. Holly Hunter, in a role that instantly brings to mind Jane Craig from "Broadcast News", is effective as the investigating detective. Hers is a performance that is three-dimensional and fully-realized.

If there's a weakness in the film, it's the ongoing beef between Ruben and Nico. It's a meritless p***ing contest stemming from one character's jealousy, and could've easily been dropped or retooled. This small gripe, however, didn't deter my enjoyment of the film.

Much credit has to be given to director Jon Amiel ("Sommersby", "Entrapment") for effectively capturing the atmosphere and tension prevalent throughout the film. In addition, writers Ann Biderman and David Madsen deserve credit for a intelligent, well-researched screenplay. No clichés here, just sharply-crafted dialogue. And Christopher Young's inspired score is brilliant; just listen to the theme that plays early on, as Helen calms down after a panic attack.

"Copyat" may not be classic material, but it's a strong entry in a genre that's too often consumed by formulas and gore. Highly recommended.