Promark Entertainment Group
Flimsy title aside, "I Witness" is an otherwise solid, absorbing crime thriller about a Mexican murder cover-up that is considerably enhanced by spare direction and smartly understated performances.
The reliable Jeff Daniels is particularly well cast as a human rights investigator who is dispatched to Tijuana (actually played by Puerto Rico) to monitor a labor dispute at an American-owned factory. Coinciding with his arrival is the discovery of 27 bodies in a border tunnel that at first have been linked to a notorious drug lord. But Daniels' seen-it-all activist isn't so sure.
In the course of his own inquiry, he butts heads with a local homicide detective (Clifton Collins Jr.) and a U.S. Commerce Department rep (Portia de Rossi), among others, but ultimately uncovers the grisly truth.
Written by Colin Greene and Robert Ozn, this competent blend of "Traffic" and "CSI" is delivered straight-up, with gimmick-free direction by Rowdy Herrington ("Roadhouse") that for the most part allows the various plot curves to land unexpectedly.
Given some breathing room, the cast, also including James Spader in another one of his patented creepy/ambiguous performances, delivers the goods, with Daniels and Collins (memorable as a psycho hit man in "Traffic") establishing a particularly lively dynamic.
Flimsy title aside, "I Witness" is an otherwise solid, absorbing crime thriller about a Mexican murder cover-up that is considerably enhanced by spare direction and smartly understated performances.
The reliable Jeff Daniels is particularly well cast as a human rights investigator who is dispatched to Tijuana (actually played by Puerto Rico) to monitor a labor dispute at an American-owned factory. Coinciding with his arrival is the discovery of 27 bodies in a border tunnel that at first have been linked to a notorious drug lord. But Daniels' seen-it-all activist isn't so sure.
In the course of his own inquiry, he butts heads with a local homicide detective (Clifton Collins Jr.) and a U.S. Commerce Department rep (Portia de Rossi), among others, but ultimately uncovers the grisly truth.
Written by Colin Greene and Robert Ozn, this competent blend of "Traffic" and "CSI" is delivered straight-up, with gimmick-free direction by Rowdy Herrington ("Roadhouse") that for the most part allows the various plot curves to land unexpectedly.
Given some breathing room, the cast, also including James Spader in another one of his patented creepy/ambiguous performances, delivers the goods, with Daniels and Collins (memorable as a psycho hit man in "Traffic") establishing a particularly lively dynamic.
- 4/22/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.