I'm not certain how I missed Fonvielle's 'Gotham' (or 'The Dead Cant Lie', TV 1988) when it came out in the late 80's...I found this by accident, and enjoyed watching it late one night. I can't agree more with the other comments/reviews already listed praising this film. I have two suggestions though...one viewers can do nothing about, and one you can. Sadly the format is (made-for-TV) full-screen, and there are many instances during the film when it's painfully obvious that a wide-screen format would add immensely to the atmosphere and mood. There's not much you can do about that though; however, what you can do, is turn your TV's 'Color' off, or desaturate the color, and add a little 'Contrast', to enjoy this film in B/W ('film noir'). As for Fonvielle, his 'The Mummy' (1999) is also a fun-filled thrill not to be missed, and 'Cherry 2000' (1987) has Melanie Griffith in her finest form (maybe ever!). His other writing credits are worthy of mention, but both 'The Bride' (1985) and 'The Lords of Discipline' do not seem to have been given the production, or directorial justice, that Fonvielle's work deeply deserved. Watch 'Gotham' as an 80's tribute to classic film noir, and/or as an intriguing preview to 'A Prairie Home Companion' (2006).

Virginia Madsen is up for an Oscar.I remembered her role in the Movie Gotham with Tommy Lee Jones. For those who would like to enter a different reality enjoy! I see that it was a TV movie I recommend this movie for all mature audiences.Tommy Lee Jones was fantastic and you see another side of his acting style. Virginia Madsen carried the movie and does not disappoint!The setting takes place in New York in the night with lighting and sets that are spare and allow the actors to fill the night with their mysterious liaison.If I cannot make the 10 line minimum it would be a shame i don not want to "give" the movie away. The mystery is the movie.I hope someone will see the movie and be able to fill in the needed ten lines to entice others to watch!

Q: What do you get if you put a naturaly gifted actress with powerful screen presence, together centre stage with an actor who exudes raw, truthful bearing? A: An extremely interesting and tantilising mind game. Sadly, too few films, since the 1940's, allow both the male & female leads to both shine absolutely equaly, profiting the end result. The culmination of Jones & Madsen's performances is a retro work of art. The casting & editing is vibrant, but this narrative should have been directed by an Art House impresario, because lost in mainstream tv it becomes merely a taxing jigsaw.PLOT: The two titles are part of the puzzle aspect to this film. For 'Gotham', read as - Goth-ham or Gothic 'ham', as in a noir spoof, or if you equate Gotham with Batman, then evolve this to the catchphrase 'the dynamic duo' and you have the Madsen & Jones chemistry. For 'The Dead Can't Lie', read as - why tell us, unless they can, therefore is this a single or double bluff? These are clues, but they could be a 'red herring'. It's a dark tale about lies within lies and whether there is any point in unraveling them. There are repeated motifs in the dialogue that are inconsistant, so it probably isnt possible to assert the truth, since each character is potentially lieing! Even the music is designed to deliberately mislead! RATEING: 7/10 as a film, but 9/10 as a brain teaser.WHO should watch this film?: Adults only, because of content. Women will enjoy the exuberantly feminine power of Madsen, whereas men will enjoy looking at it in action! Watch out for the 'Rubik's Cube', as it's a barometer of Jones' confusion and ours! If you like doing puzzles and can cope if you dont solve them, you will love & watch this film repeatedly.

How do you stop your dead wife from harassing you? Hire a good detective who can tell her to stop. Tommy Lees Jones portrays a down on his luck gumshoe is approached by a man who is being followed by his dead wife. Jones figures if the man is crazy enough to offer his money, he's just crazy enough to help him. Is she dead? Check the refrigerator, take a cruise but stay out of the church. This made-for-tv film keeps you going, wondering just who is seeing things. Don't close your eyes for too long or you just might miss something. If you like a good mystery, this one is a sleeper-keeper. You might have to look on the back shelf of the video store to find it but however it's worth the search. A great movie for a rainy weekend afternoon.