Viewers keep trying to predict the action based on scant information about characters. Thus, the story is tense and exciting. From early on, a question is Why is FBI Agent Frank LaCrosse (Dennis Quaid) so determined to find this culprit? At the same time, another question is Why does the serial killer do any of that? And there are other questions at the same time.
But, of course, no murders need to take place in a story for multiple questions, and suspense, to occur -- this genre is not to my taste. It's unrealistic, or else cynical. However, given the story's assumptions, there is a lot of suspenseful questioning in the viewer's mind, some of which is satisfactorily resolved.
It is never clear what could be motivating murderer Bob Goodall (Danny Glover) to do any of this, as there are many games to play, and as Goodall as portrayed by Glover seems to be a well-humored type. Glover's performance is not convincing; with all the pals he has around there, he would have been better as a policeman.
It is resolved why LaCrosse is after Goodall with determination -- pretty much what one guessed. But he is too remote from his relationship with his son. When he reveals this motive to the sheriff after the sheriff has elaborated upon the dinner he prepared, there is more interest in whether he will sit down and eat it than in what he tells about his son. Maybe he didn't even like his son, or maybe he wished he had spent more time with him -- but we get nothing more than a defined relationship and an inevitable act of paternal duty. Maybe LaCrosse just likes adventure -- chasing a train in his car, and physical challenges like that.
But, of course, no murders need to take place in a story for multiple questions, and suspense, to occur -- this genre is not to my taste. It's unrealistic, or else cynical. However, given the story's assumptions, there is a lot of suspenseful questioning in the viewer's mind, some of which is satisfactorily resolved.
It is never clear what could be motivating murderer Bob Goodall (Danny Glover) to do any of this, as there are many games to play, and as Goodall as portrayed by Glover seems to be a well-humored type. Glover's performance is not convincing; with all the pals he has around there, he would have been better as a policeman.
It is resolved why LaCrosse is after Goodall with determination -- pretty much what one guessed. But he is too remote from his relationship with his son. When he reveals this motive to the sheriff after the sheriff has elaborated upon the dinner he prepared, there is more interest in whether he will sit down and eat it than in what he tells about his son. Maybe he didn't even like his son, or maybe he wished he had spent more time with him -- but we get nothing more than a defined relationship and an inevitable act of paternal duty. Maybe LaCrosse just likes adventure -- chasing a train in his car, and physical challenges like that.