Dead Again

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Dead Again ★★★½ 1991 (R)

Branagh's first film since his brilliant debut as the director/star of “Henry V” again proves him a visionary force on and off camera. Smart, cynical L.A. detective Mike Church (Branagh) is hired to discover the identity of a beautiful but mute woman (Thompson) whom he calls Grace. With the help of hypnotist Franklyn Mad-son (Jacobi) Mike finds that he's apparently trapped in a nightmarish cycle of murder begun years before, involving a jealous conductor and his concert pianist wife. Literate, lovely to look at, suspenseful, with a sense of humor to match its high style. 107m/C VHS, DVD . Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson, Andy Garcia, Lois Hall, Richard Easton, Derek Jacobi, Hanna Schygulla, Campbell Scott, Wayne Knight, Christine Ebersole; Cameos: Robin Williams; D: Kenneth Branagh; W: Scott Frank; C: Matthew F. Leonetti; M: Patrick Doyle.