Guilty As Charged (1991)

A lot more amusing than I thought it would be.

A Disappointing Continuation

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Rod Steiger lights up the screen as a butcher turned preaching vigilante who captures convicted murderers and stores them in his own makeshift "death row" to await execution in a homemade electric chair in this uproarious black comedy. After a crooked politician, Stanford (a good role for Lyman Ward) murders an ex-lover and frames a common thief for the deed, Steiger just may execute his first innocent man, or will sweet, naive, wide-eyed Kimberly (Heather Graham) stop him in time before the sorry victim gets fried and the corrupt Stanford gets elected Governor? This is loaded with sarcasm, puns and in-jokes that poke enormous fun at religion, politics, and the judicial system, and it never takes it self seriously enough to offend. Steiger is pure excellence as he spews out hammy dialog about the importance of justice and humanity while he cooks his hapless prisoners. Plenty of twisted logic played for laughs (the electric chair is designed for comfort, and it has giant wings to prepare for the repentants' departure for heaven.), and Issac Hayes is hilarious as Aloysius, Steiger's priest and assistant. Also, lots of good character actors join in the fun such as Lauren Hutton as a bitchy wife , Mitch Pileggi as a wisecracking prisoner, Earl Boen and Zelda Rubinstein as a maid who "plants bugs". The best is yet to come as you will be "electrified" and appreciative at the surprise twist ending thats in store. Anyone who gets offended by this little gem of a movie needs a little "shock" therapy themselves. It's a shame that such a "jolt" of a funny film has gotten a bad rep, and has been shelved and forgotten. It is definitely in need of re-discovery.

This film spares no one: right wing death penalty advocates, bleeding heart liberals, politicians,self-righteous religious zealots and incorrigble criminals. That's what i loved about it: it skewers EVERYONE.It has absolutely fantastic sets and cinematography, with a distinct Dr Phibes quality to Steiger's underground lair. Heather Graham, looking impossibly young and cute, makes for an appealing heroine.Lyman Ward excels at playing a sleazeball. Isaac Hayes has some of the funniest moments as Steiger's demented henchman alongside Mitch Pileggi, who makes quite an impression as a snarling prisoner. Ricky Dean Logan is hilarious, especially in his introductory scene. And Rod Steiger, who always committed 100% of himself to every role, no matter how small the budget or strange the screenplay, should have been nominated for some sort of award because he really gives a magnificent performance here. He somehow manages to make his character funny, sad, sweet, righteous, warped and malevolent-- sometimes all in one scene.

This is a strange film. It is a black satire that reminds me of a cross between Roger Corman's "Black Scorpion", Wes Craven's "Swamp Thing" and Alfred Hitchcock's "Family Plot". The casting is eclectic with Rod Steiger, Lauren Hutton, Heather Graham, Isaac Hayes and Zelda Rubinsten and deserves an A. The acting, however, is uneven and gets a B. The story (we've been here before) is a C. Not much of the budget is on the screen. With better production values it would have been a very interesting movie. As it is, the production values gets only a D.The look of the film is that of a poor man's direct-to-video. That's too bad. With more texture to cover the obvious staleness of the story (ex: Tim Burton's "Batman") this could have been a remarkable film. Still, it's worth a look even if it never reaches it's potential. I don't know if you can blame the budget or the director, but it just misses. Still, certain moments do transcend the film's problems. Rod Steiger, Isaac Hayes and Heather Graham make this film worth a look even if in the end it is a disappointment.

I really enjoyed this movie. Rod Steiger and Isaac Hayes give wonderful performances. Steiger plays Ben Killan (great name) a man who kidnaps paroled murderers and executes them in a homemade electric chair. In the middle of one execution the power goes out before the prisoner is dead and Ben has to finish him off with a gun. The movie has a great surprise ending.