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Features: DVD, Dolby, Dolby Digital (5.1), Aspect Ratio 2.35:1
From the Academy Award-winning director Jonathan Demme (The Silence of the Lambs), and starring Mark Wahlberg (Planet of the Apes), Thandie Newton (Mission: Impossible II) and Tim Robbins (The Shawshank Redemption), The Truth About Charlie is an explosive re-make of the original hit thriller, Charade.Regina (Newton) returns home from vacation to find her husband Charlie murdered and three violent strangers claiming Charlie cheated them out of millions. But when she accepts the help of a mysterious stranger (Wahlberg), Regina plunges into a world where double-cross turns to triple-cross and trust turns into the deadliest weapon of all. A spectacular, roller coaster thrill ride, The Truth About Charlie will keep you guessing right up to the gripping conclusion!
"...fresh, jazzy and fun." Laura Clifford, Reeling Reviews
"...it brilliantly succeeds." Kirk Honeycutt, The Hollywood Reporter
Editor's Note
Jonathan Demme's THE TRUTH ABOUT CHARLIE is a swirling romantic suspense thriller, a remake of the 1963 Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn vehicle, CHARADE. Set in Paris, the film stars Thandie Newton as a British ex-pat whose art dealer husband is murdered while she's on vacation. Arriving home, she is met with an empty apartment, the French police, and an array of mysterious thugs who believe she knows where her husband stashed six million stolen dollars. Mark Wahlberg plays the handsome, beret-sporting stranger who comes to her rescue, but who may not be what he seems. Special mention goes to Tim Robbins as a shadowy American agent, and Christine Boisson as the cool-as-nails police commandant trying to get to the bottom of the matter. Demme's direction pulls out all the stops here, with dizzying camerawork, experimental flash-forwards and insane editing. It's a return to the Oscar-winner's pre-SILENCE OF THE LAMBS days, when his specialty were cameo-studded, pop-infused romantic comedy thrillers like MARRIED TO THE MOB and SOMETHING WILD. This time the cameos celebrate the 1960's French New Wave cinema with appearances by crooner Charles Aznavour, director Agnes Varda, and--singing a mad tango--ex-Godard icon Anna Karina.
| Features | Audio: English, French Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround; English DTS 5.1 Surround; Spanish Dolby Surround | | Deleted Scenes | | Production Notes | | Cast And Filmmakers Bios | | Bonus Movie: The Original Hit Thriller Charade starring Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn (Widescreen 1.85:1) | | Feature Commentary With Director Jonathan Demme | | The Making Of The Truth About Charlie Featurette | | Interactive Menus | | Scene Selection | | Theatrical Trailer |
| Technical Info
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Release Information
| | Studio: Universal |
| Release Date: 4/12/2005 |
| Running Time: 105 minutes |
| Original Release Date: 2002 | | Catalog ID: 22821 | | UPC: 00025192282126 | | Number of Discs: 1 |
Audio & Video
| | Original Language: English | | Available Audio Tracks: English [CC], English, French Dubbed, Spanish Dubbed | | Video: Color |
Aspect Ratio | | 2.35:1 |
| Cast & Crew
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| | Professional Reviews | New York Times
"...Most of the film's allure comes from the sensual, butter-voiced Thandie Newton; with her, Mr. Demme has found the 21st-century corollary to Audrey Hepburn..." 10/25/2002 p.E1USA Today
"...Smart and easy on the eye..." 10/25/2002 p.15D Hollywood Reporter
"...The production has an absolute sheen....Romantic, dangerous and fun to visit..." 10/22/2002 p.66 Sight and Sound
"...A spirited, joyful homage; mainstream film doesn't get much more playful than this..." 08/01/2003 p.61-2 San Francisco Chronicle 7 of 10
In the end, the city of Paris is one of the revelations in Demme's film. Africans, Arabs, Asians and other ethnic groups that make up much of the present-day city are seen throughout The Truth About Charlie, and the director's interesting camera work makes it thrilling to see the Eiffel Tower and other Paris landmarks. Still, the unfortunate truth about The Truth About Charlie is that it's a sometimes interesting remake that doesn't compare to the brilliant original. - Jonathan Curiel
James Berardinelli's ReelViews 8 of 10
From a plot standpoint, The Truth About Charlie doesn't venture far from the path paved by Charade. Militant devotees of the original will likely despise the remake, but those who view Demme's version as an affectionate homage, or those who have never seen Charade (sadly, a significant group of ticket buyers will fit into this category), will likely be entertained. I appreciate The Truth About Charlie in much the same way I appreciate Charade, proving that it is possible to like one without being disappointed by the other. - James Berardinelli
Chicago Sun-Times 8 of 10
[Thandie Newton]...carries The Truth About Charlie, as she must, because all of the other characters revolve around her, sometimes literally. Wahlberg has top billing but that must be a contractual thing; she is the center of the picture, and the news is, she is a star. She has that presence and glow. The plot is essentially a backdrop, as it was in Charade, for Paris, suspense, romance and star power. - Roger Ebert
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