Escape Clause (1996)

Don't listen to the negative reviews

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

"Escape Clause" is a slick made-for-television thriller that is filled with melodramatic twists. An insurance executive named Richard Ramsey (Andrew McCarthy) receives a troubling phone call from a man who claims that Ramsey's life is in danger and that his wife is plotting his death. But it is the wife who is subsequently murdered.The plot is filled with hints that suggest anyone in the cast could be the murderer-extortionist. Police Lieutenant Farrand (Paul Sorvino) is the detective investigating the crime. One of the most nefarious of the characters is Ramsey's father-in-law, the powerful former deputy director of the CIA. The one genuine ally of Ramsey is Leslie Bullard, effectively played by Connie Britton. Leslie was attracted to Ramsey when they were students. Is her motivation to help him genuine? The film finds a way to make almost every one of the professions appear as corrupt. They include the insurance industry, psychiatry, the CIA, and the police force. Virtually every character associated with those fields of endeavor is sleazy and unethical.One of the staples of nineteenth-century melodramatic theater was the cliché device of a victim strapped to the railroad tracks as the train is hurtling toward him or her on a deadly collision course. The writers of "Escape Clause" have somehow found a way to bring back that old convention for a thrilling ending that wraps up the mystery in a tidy package.This is a "guilty pleasure" type of film that includes suspense, but also some laughs, as it brings back the popular melodramas of yore.

Here we have the old fashioned formula for suspense, mystery and thrills based on the ordinary mans successful life and what can go wrong? Hidden within the story is a story and then another and the points of view from the different players all keep you guessing as if to ask...are they what they are representing to be or is their more to what we see and hear. It follows in the best footsteps of the who dunnit and surely at some point, no one is above suspicion. I personally thought the sex scenes totally unnecessary and overdone and of course there are those that will now watch this for that reason. But those scenes distract and that is not why I gave this a ten. It is a gripper, edge of your seat, pay attention to what's happening type movie. Popcorn, sunflower seeds or tasty snack recommended to keep fingernails out of mouth. Include a tasty drink...enjoy

"Escape Clause" from 1996 is a low-budget film starring Andrew McCarthy, Kate McNeil, and Paul Sorvino.McCarthy is Richard Ramsey, an insurance adjuster and quite well-known in the industry for the "Ramsey Curve" used by insurance companies. He seems to have a great sex life with his wife (McNeil), but out of bed, they have a few problems. One day he receives a phone call from someone who says that Richard's wife hired him to murder him for $10,000. For $20,000, he'll forget about him.When Richard finally goes to meet him, someone shoots the hit-man. Shortly afterward, his wife is found dead.Richard finds himself under suspicion by the lead detective (Paul Sorvino) and tries to find out who is responsible for his situation. There are a few suspects, including his wife's best friend, who has always had a crush on Richard. There is also a Japanese partner who works in the firm and seems to be the new golden boy. Meanwhile, his wife's parents are trying to get custody of his children.I actually thought Andrew McCarthy was pretty good. The character is very volatile and erratic. You could easily see him going off the rails and killing his wife. I could have used a little more back story. Paul Sorvino is good as well. Kate McNeil has a great figure and shows it off.The denouement of this movie is ridiculous. Just know what you're getting into before you watch it.

Note: May contain possible spoilers!Richard Ramsey gets a phone-call from a man who claims that Richard's wife hired him to kill him for $10,000. When he meets him one evening, the hitman is shot to death himself. Not much later his wife Sarah Ramsey is also murdered, and Richard is the main suspect. After that the story gets more complicated, and there are several people who could have murdered both. For example Abe Shinoda, a Japanese partner of Richard's. Also Richard's stepfather Owen Jessop could have had his reasons to do it. And then you have Leslie Bullard, a friend of Sarah and Richard. As I said, complicated.Overall a decent little film, with nice acting by (for example) Paul Sorvino (Lt. Farrand), Connie Britton (Leslie Bullard), Kate McNeil (Sarah) and Andrew McCarthy (Richard), one of the less fortunate Bratpackers. I rate this film a 7/10!