Taking Lives (2004) R - 3½ Stars

This is a decent movie though it has a lot of pauses that drag on a bit. I would have to say the story line doesn't flow as well as the acting but Angelina Jolie is pretty good as usual. There's good action in the movie and I think it rates your money on a rental.

Paquette (Olivier Martinez) and Duval (Jean-Hugues Anglade), are two Canadian police detectives that are investigating a brutal murder. The appearance of the body makes them realize this is similar to yet another killing they've seen before in Montreal. Agent Illeana Scott (Angelina Jolie), is a special agent for the F.B.I., with a great record on criminal profiling. She's called in to join the case to see if she can get inside the head of this psychotic serial killer before he strikes again.

Scott determines the way the killer mutilates the bodies, show signs of what sexually turns him on. Scott also determines, his first kill probably involved a car accident where he faked his own death in order to take on the identity of his victim. In her opinion, the killer has been doing the same ever since, by trading his old life for a new one after each murder. Soon, Scott alienates herself from the rest of the team, with her unorthodox methods. But that's the way she prefers to work anyway; alone.

Mrs. Asher (Gena Rowlands), arrives at the police station thinking her son may be the killer, which cause Agent Scott to take notice. Only problem is, Mrs. Asher's son was killed in a car accident 19 years ago. Mrs. Asher claims that she has run into her son as she would not forget his icy stare that looks exactly the same as in the artist sketch. She is convinced her son is not dead but could be the one responsible for these killings.

James Costa (Ethan Hawke) an artist, claims he saw the killer during his last assault. He's the only witness and Agent Scott questions him and accepts his testimony unquestionably when he draws a detailed picture of the killers face. Now, they know what the killer looks like.

Agent Scott uses James as bait to help bring the murderer out in the open but also finds and an unexpected attraction to him. As their steamy love affair grows, Hart (Kiefer Sutherland) is now stalking James and Scott must come to his rescue.

Warner Bros Pictures
Director: D.J. Caruso
Writer: John Bokenkamp
Producers: Bernie Goldmann, Mark Canton, Bernie Goldman

I viewed 3/07