At the core of this film is a good plot and gimmick. Cuba Gooding wasn't bad in it, but the writing, directing, and some of the lesser actors were RIDICULOUSLY bad. I hope some day a different director remakes this film with the help of a writer who can write the missing scenes and build the suspense to what this should be - a nail biting court room drama. It is imperative that the audience not know whodunnit until the last scene. However, this film gives everything away half way through the film! The whole story should have been told through flashbacks during the courtroom trial. A major plot point is never explained properly and once the makeup and masks were discovered the movie was over - there was no thrill left in this thriller.

I found this movie to be delightfully original (although a few parts were predictable) and it became more interesting and suspenseful as the plot developed.Its strength was in the acting and originality, and its weakness was in the non-development or quick-development of some of the main characters, Tom Beranger and Carmen Argenziano's specifically.The movie seemed to be rushed near the end, and could have been better developed as the plot thickened.SPOILER: just a couple points. I felt that Cuba Gooding's character should have disguised himself after escaping the first time. And why was Tom Beranger at the house of Mark Pellinger?

This movie catches you from the beginning and keeps you guessing all the way to the very end. I think this is one of Cuba Gooding's best movies. It is great! The movie keeps you guessing and on your toes throughout the entire movie. I think Tom Berenger and Eric Stoltz both outperform themselves. The acting and dramatics were very well blended. This movie has great artistic directing as well. The costume changes and make-up were quite believable. The dramatics were amazing. The way the movie evolved from the beginning and tied in at the end was excellent. Never saw it coming. I feel this is a very well rounded movie that anyone would enjoy.

If you like shouting at the screen because the characters do so many stupid things, this movie is for you. Or....you might enjoy it while extremely intoxicated, so you won't notice that all the characters are one dimensional. I picked this movie up as an impulse purchase, hoping for a good double feature with Double Jeopardy. Well, this turned out to be a B movie, the second of a typical double feature, where the second movie is the one where you ignore the screen and make out with your lover. There are far too many problems with the story that could have been fixed by pretty much anyone who watches mysteries. I agree with previous critics that found holes in the script, and so don't have to elaborate here. Just wanted to vote 'awful' to bring the average rating down so no one will buy this like I did. Even at $4 from the discount bin, this movie wasn't worth it. I haven't hunted for other works by this writer and director, but I now shall so I don't accidentally pick up any of their other 'masterpieces'.