Jennifer 8
On the trail of a serial killer, Detective John Berlin has no clues. No suspects. And no alibi.
They are the unidentified victims of an unsolved death spree, women linked by a killer's gruesome handiwork...and by police files giving them the code name "Jennifer." Homicide investigator John Berlin believes he's made a breakthrough in the case when he uncovers a key witness: a young blind woman named Helena. Yet who can rely on the testimony of a witness who cannot see? Who can trust Berlin when he is ultimately suspected of the murders? And who can keep vulnerable Helena from becoming the next Jennifer?
Member Reviews
Appealing Thriller - c4th
Jennifer Eight is an appealing thriller. It creates a mystery centered on the crimes of a serial killer, then suddenly introduces an event which leaves viewers in a shocking state of uncertainty. The focus abruptly shifts to a second mystery that overshadows the first and must be resolved to reveal the identity of the killer.
One thing that separates this movie into a class occupied by few is the depth of its character development. Bruce Robinson (screenwriter and director) is not afraid to spend a generous amount of time providing viewers sufficient insight to understand motives and behaviours of the players. He masterfully develops his characters while still advancing the plot and maintaining the tense atmosphere expected in a suspenseful mystery.
Robinson’s task is aided by an incredibly competent cast. Andy Garcia plays John Berlin, a well educated crime investigator acquired by the Eureka police department. Despite strong doubts of co-workers, he is convinced a human hand found at the dump belongs to the eighth female victim of a serial killer. The title refers to the missing body of the supposed victim which Berlin believes will surface when snow melts away in the coming spring.
Uma Thurman is convincing as a blind witness, who becomes a love interest for Berlin and potentially a ninth victim. She portrays a fragile individual with social ineptness expected from a female blinded at a young age. Additional strong performances come from Lance Henrikson and John Malkovich.
Jennifer Eight contains all the elements expected in a taut thriller. There are many tense moments and some clever twists and turns. You might predict the solution to the main mystery before it is revealed, but this is followed by a final twist I guarantee you will not see coming.A Pretty Good Thriller. - cathyottawa
Sometimes it slips into "bad 80s cop movie" mode, but overall this is pretty enjoyable.
Uma Thurman is believable as a blind woman living a somewhat sheltered life.
Andy Garcia is the big city cop that's come to the small town to try and put his life back together after a painful divorce. His character is full of "I'm going to get this guy!" bravado (this is where the 80s stuff tends to sneak in).
The whodunit isn't too obvious, and should keep you guessing.
It was a bit of a stretch that Garcia's detective character also does most of the scientific crime scene investigation - one minute he's in a lab, looking through a microscope, the next he's out interviewing witnesses. But, if you're a CSI fan, this probably won't bother you too much (I'm a Law & Order fan myself). Cheers.Worth the wait. - MOVIEJUNKIE
It takes a while to get into the movie, but if you have seen the trailers before popping in the DVD then you all know that the waiting is well worth it. Uma Thurman really pulls off this role quite nicely. Andy Garcia is Andy Garcia, just his mere presence on the screen speaks volumes.
Member Reviews
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Appealing Thriller - c4th
Jennifer Eight is an appealing thriller. It creates a mystery centered on the crimes of a serial killer, then suddenly introduces an event which leaves viewers in a shocking state of uncertainty. The focus abruptly shifts to a second mystery that overshadows ...A Pretty Good Thriller. - cathyottawa
Sometimes it slips into "bad 80s cop movie" mode, but overall this is pretty enjoyable.
Uma Thurman is believable as a blind woman living a somewhat sheltered life.
Andy Garcia is the big city cop that's come to the small town to try and put ...Worth the wait. - MOVIEJUNKIE
It takes a while to get into the movie, but if you have seen the trailers before popping in the DVD then you all know that the waiting is well worth it. Uma Thurman really pulls off this role quite nicely. Andy Garcia is Andy Garcia, just his mere presence ...