Deathtrap

Too clever by half? Got some funny stuff but it keeps turning everything back on its head and it gets pretty tired eventually. Michael Caine and Christopher Reeve are both excellent, however, and in the end, it's an entertaining movie, just not the most satisfying one.

There's a couple of small contrivances that feel a little convenient, the humor doesn't always hit the mark & it takes about 40 minutes 2 really take off, but once it does - wow. It's impossible 2 imagine anyone reading this script & not having the back of their heads blown off, since it's all on the page. Sublimely constructed, it reaches a point of becoming exhaustingly clever. Still, it's a must see 4 anyone who appreciates the work behind such a meticulously crafted, yet fun, narrative.

This seemed like the kind of thing that I would like, but it just rubbed me the wrong way. The plot contrivances and Hitchcock-referencing and all of that are clever as hell, but as it goes along there's more and more of the whole "the movie you're watching is about the writing of a play about the movie you're watching about the play about the movie about the..." thing, right up until the clever but not very satisfying ending. Not a bad film, but it left me mostly unsatisfied.

Almost perfect. Brilliantly dark and entertaining, couldn't take my eyes (or mind) off of it for the whole duration. Much to scrutinize, which I adore.

Saw this when it came out and gave it a rewatch. Solid mystery movie. Though it feels like a play (one setting mostly), it makes sense since it's about a mystery play. Good talent here with Michael Caine and Christopher Reeve.

I don't really know what to type... That was insane. The last 10 minutes maybe go a bit too far and began to eat away at my enjoyment but otherwise it was greatly entertaining. And so so weird.

Thought the dialogue was quite annoying at the beginning, but after a while that changed. I liked the twist a lot, but it got slower near the end. The ending didn't satisfy me that much either, but overall I had a good time watching

Here's my idea for the Deathtrap sequel: Ira Levin writes a screenplay based on the play "Sleuth". Michael Caine (Levin's illegitimate son) agrees to star in it as a means to off his dad and inherit the huge royalties Levin accrued from "Sliver". Christopher Reeve seduces Caine in a desparate attempt to inherit Caine's stellar royalties from "Blame it on Rio". Meanwhile. other character include a whiny exwife, a rabid ferret and a nymphomaniacal gardener. There, now all that's left is a plot.

Entertaining and well acted thriller starts with a wild premise, shockingly delivers it about 1/3 of the way through, and then manages to wring a few more surprises out of the remaining hour. I couldn't help but think, often, of Hitchcock's "Rope", which is a good thing. From its claustrophobic feel to its remorseless and well educated villains -- and even the homosexual slant that is so pronounced in "Trap" are hinted strongly at in Hitch's. Also, a brilliant turn from a heelish Chris Reeve.

Murderously meta play adaptation from the director of Dog Day Afternoon and 12 Angry Men. Consistently fun, thrilling and witty, even as it treads a fine line between clever and farcical. Starring Muppet Scrooge and Superman.

Reeve is hunky when he's acting the part of a sociopath.

I really wanted to like it given the fact that I'm a huge fan of Michael Caine and Sidney Lumet, however I came away very disappointed. Caine gives a great performance and Reeves is admirable but the script was utterly atrocious. It was filled with way too many awkward lines. Also this was one of the most obvious play to movie adaptations ever. The whole movie was just off because of those two details. Very annoying given the amount of potential this movie had.

*needs rewatch*

Gets a little too cute for itself, but still entertaining.

Excellent dark comedy.

A clever structure and some astoundingly good acting. However, I feel like the upper-middle-class/lower-upper-class masculinity behind the scenes takes a toll; the first act is, perhaps, intense in ways the creators didn't intend, with the deep toxicity of a relationship coming out in ways the post-twist story can't match. Still, a really interesting ride, that surprised an experienced viewer in ways that are hard to get.

* Casting, Acting : 6.5 * Script : 7 * Directing, Aura : 7 * Ease of Viewing : 6.5 * Naked Eye : 6.5

Really good thriller, reminiscent of "Sleuth" only now Caine is Olivier's character and Reeve replaces Caine. Highly recommended.

Awfully much like _Sleuth_, and not as good, but still very entertaining

https://esperwatchesfilms.tumblr.com/post/644034070676963328/deathtrap-1982

An overlong, second-rate _Sleuth_.

72.500

Good buildup and climax to the first act with too many twists in the second to be taken seriously. "Sleuth" anyone? Also steals much from "Les Diaboliques."

Very enjoyable. A fun, clever plot that really tickled my 'everything takes place in a small environment' buttons. Apparently I need to see Sleuth, but since I didn't, everything here was a pleasant surprise.

Clever, but too clever for its own good.

Up my alley, but not as good as it ought to have been.

This is a lot of fun, especially the first half, but by the end all I could think about is how there were way too many twists. Worth the watch if you like whodunnit movies.

I feel like I'd seen it a million times before, and I haven't, it's just so shamelessly attached to trite stage play contrivances, especially the obnoxious self-referencing "play about a play about a play" shtick. Bottom-tier Lumet.

Clever twists and self referential swipes makes this the most fun thriller of all.

Purely escapist and underrated stage-like play within a play within a play. A fun concept with some legitimately surprising twists that I didn't see coming, this is probably lost a bit in Lumet's filmography since he had so many brilliancies, but this is another very solid effort that mashes genres pretty well. At times the humor can be hit or miss, but most of this works really well. A very fun time.

Great if you can't get enough of the sight of Michael Caine in a dressing gown.

A pretty fun movie, I'm a sucker for twists and turns, and this has them in spades. Some are predictable, sure, but some aren't, and there's enough intelligence here to ensure this remains a strong movie even when viewed in a contemporary context. Great performances from Caine and Reeve, too.

Christopher Reeves was more than Superman, but most people don't remeber that. He actually had quite a range. This movie is an example of his acting abilities. Michael Caine's script choices are not always the best, but here is fantastic as well. The twist at the end of the movie will really get you.