After seeing Mel Gibson as the leader of a revolution in “Braveheart” and as a wealthy businessman in “Ransom,” it’s surprising to see him as a cab driver. It’s also surprising to see him mildly crazy-spouting conspiracy theories to anyone who will listen.
Despite the other differences, though, it’s a normal day on the job when he starts kicking some bad-guy butt.
In “Conspiracy Theory,” Mel Gibson reteams with director Richard Donner (“Lethal Weapons,” “Maverick”) to create a film that, while not possessing the frightening suspense of “Ransom” or the visual splendor of “Braveheart,” is wonderfully entertaining in a completely different way.
Whether good or bad, “Theory” has the unmistakable feel of a TV show. The feeling of a typical movie that the topic is the convergence of defining and spectacular events in the characters’ lives is simply not present.
Nevertheless, the movie retain a great deal of suspense; it feels a great deal like the shows on NBS’s Saturday night “Thrillogy.” Unique, anti-genre background music only lends to the atypical atmosphere.
Gibson stars as Jerry Fletcher, a nearly insane cabdriver given to believing in every conspiracy ever dreamed up, including some originals. The problems start for him when someone important finds out that one of his conspiracy theories is more than the raving of a lunatic.
Alice Sutton (Julia Roberts), a public defense attorney, is unwilling taken along for the ride. Her involvement, though, is deliberately left unclear until later on in the film. Her presence solidifies what might otherwise be characterized as the raves of a half-crazed screenwriter.
Rounding out the star-studded cast in Patrick Stewart, playing “Dr. Jonas,” a mystery man who knows a lot, but never explains why. His appearance here suggests that he might be better suited for a James Woods-ish bad guy career than a sequel to “Star Trek: First Contact.”
The script, though, remains the most interesting part of the film. There’s a surprise every five minutes or so for the duration, so extensive plot details would surely ruin the movie.
It is extremely doubtful that, with its unique, creative, and simply ungeneralizable flavor, “Theory” will be forgotten, like so many others, in the slew of summer movies. And, if you can’t get enough “Conspiracy Theory,” rest assured - the ending screams “sequel” loud and clear.
Grade: B+