DVD Corner

Suspect Blu-ray Review

“Suspect” is a preposterous legal thriller.

Penned by Eric Roth, 1987’s “Suspect” is a legal thriller. The story begins with a prologue involving a Judge handing over a cassette to a law clerk. The Judge commits suicide while the law clerk winds up dead. Carl (a deaf war vet who lost the ability to speak after getting spinal meningitis) is arrested for the murder and is the prime suspect. A public defender (Kathleen) is assigned to his case, Charlie is the prosecutor, and the crotchety Judge Helms presides over it. Enter Eddie- a lobbyist who becomes a member of the jury. Eddie becomes fascinated by the case and acts as a sort of amateur detective to get to the bottom of it. He even breaks the rules and works with Kathleen to uncover evidence. The two even develop a romance (but of course). As the two dig into the case more, they believe that Carl really is innocent and that someone is attempting to cover-up a crime.

Director Peter Yates is well known for helming several classics like “Bullitt,” “The Friends Of Eddie Coyle,” and “Breaking Away.” I’m not sure what he was thinking when he took on “Suspect.” The film plays like a dime-store novel that is full of ridiculous plotting. From Eddie becoming an amateur detective from out of nowhere to the absurd ending, the sluggish story is full of conveniences, vague motivations and politics, a forced romance, and a seemingly endless array of law breaking character actions from the “heroes” and villain. Add in some weird staging and edits and it all feels like a cheap 80’s disposable thriller in which you REALLY have to suspend your disbelief.

About the only thing “Suspect” has going for it is the star studded cast which features Dennis Quaid, Cher, Joe Mantegna, John Mahoney, and a younger Liam Neeson. Cher turns in a solid performance here although the performance is not exactly on the level of a “Moonstruck.” Quaid’s character is slick and goofy but he does an admirable job. The always reliable John Mahoney is the MVP here as Judge Helms.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.78:1 1080p. How does it look? The Blu-ray looks more like an upscaled DVD. It’s an OK transfer at best. There are noticeable scratches and the image looks a little fuzzy in spots.

Audio Track: 2.0 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? In a word- respectable.

No extras.

March 4, 2026 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | 80's Movie, Cher, Dennis Quaid, John Mahoney, Legal Thriller, Liam Neeson, Peter Yates, Suspect Blu-ray Review