Loved this film. But then, I always love Holly Hunter and Sigourney Weaver. It's wonderful to watch their interesting characters and electric pairing as co-leads - plus their growing friendship - that drives and carries the story in this film. The fact that they work together to take down a serial killer (a great story in itself) is actually secondary to their stellar performances in this refreshing, original thriller.

CopycatIf you are going to imitate a serial killer mimic one who has never been caught.Sadly, none of the murderers in this psychological thriller copy the Zodiac Killer. When dead bodies start appearing around San Francisco, Inspector Monahan (Holly Hunter) and her partner (Dermot Mulroney) seek the expertise of a renowned criminal psychology, Dr. Hudson (Sigourney Weaver), who became a shut-in after she was attacked by a serial killer, Cullum (Harry Connick Jr.).But when the new maniac's MO matches Cullum's, Hudson must face her jailed assailant in order to prevent the copycat from concluding Cullum's work before they get to her.With solid acting - save for Connick Jr. - and a twist filled script that keeps you guessing, this 1995 cat and mouse caper also offers up much insight into the methodical mind of a serial killer. Nevertheless, plagiarizing other murderers will not win you a Stabby Award. Yellow Lightvidiotreviews.blogspot.ca

Jon Amiel's Copycat is one intense piece of work, as tightly wound as razor wire and primed to stir up the adrenal glands. Sigourney Weaver contends with not one, but two extremely vicious serial killers a lá Silence Of The Lambs, with a bit of ass kicking help from spitfire Holly Hunter. Weaver is a clinical psychologist specializing in serial killers, and like most in her cinematic profession, just happens to be a serial killer magnet as well. After narrowly escaping a perverted maniac (Harry Connick Jr.), and assisting in his capture, she retreats to the sanctuary of her San Francisco penthouse apartment in a fit of agoraphobia following the trauma. But there's another killer out there, one who meticulously recreates the crimes of others. Weaver is reluctantly coerced into helping to find him, and who better to help her than her old buddy Connick Jr.? He's an odd choice to play this type of character, but he sells it with a sickly swagger and that off kilter grin, a much more lively performance than that of the actor playing the copycat killer. Holly Hunter provides the kick in the ass that timid Weaver needs to see the job done, but there's danger around every corner, and the film earns it's hard R rating with some truly uncomfortable bits. Along for the ride is veteran actor J.E. Freeman, Will Patton and good old Dermot Mulroney as fellow cops on the case. Not as instantly iconic or memorable as many in the genre, but takes what could have easily been generic trash and gives it life, style and a sense of real, sweaty danger.

Copycat (1995): Dir: Jon Amiel / Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Holly Hunter, Dermot Mulroney, Harry Connick Jr, William McNamara: Compelling thriller similar to The Silence of the Lambs. A copycat killer is on the prowl with Sigourney Weaver vulnerable as a woman left paranoid in her apartment. Holly Hunter plays a police detective who needs her help in catching the killer. The murderer devises his techniques from famous serial killers while sending clues to Weaver as to who the next victim will be. Very clever with numerous plot twists and a rousing climax. Director Jon Amiel heats up the suspense with strong performances by Weaver and Hunter who play total opposites to their reputations in terms of screen presence. Weaver has always been seen as the dominant heroine but in this film she is placed in a tragic situation where the smaller height Hunter must solve the plot. Dermot Mulroney is limited as Hunter's partner whose fate is obvious. Harry Connick Jr. is effective as a psychotic obsessed with Weaver. What is interesting is that Weaver must face him in order to obtain information, and he demands items such as her panties. William McNamara is cast as the suspected killer who haunts Weaver's very existence. Rousing themes regarding fear and paranoia that adds to the overall shock value and it does that very well with those obvious references. Score: 9 ½ / 10