Second to Die (2002)

This movie is the proof that the world is becoming a sick and dumb place

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

As somebody who had not heard any of this before, it became a curious phenomenon to sit and watch a film and slowly have the realities begin to click into place.

It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...

I've never written a review on IMDb but after catching this little stinker today on Lifetime Movie Network, or whatever it is called, I jumped on here to see what others had written. I couldn't believe the number of people giving this piece of you-know-what good ratings! First of all, the writing was mindless. Anyone could have written this script. It is generic and bland. The worst part of this movie HAS to be the acting. Half the time the cast sounds as if they are simply reading their lines, the other half they sound like they are too bored to bother. And who could blame them? I don't excuse the sloppy filmmaking and apathetic acting just because it is a small budget film. Many others have managed to produce well-scripted and acted movies on tight budgets. One of the critics said this is the perfect movie for 3am on Showtime when you can't sleep. I agree. Better than Unisom!

An interesting thriller that has Paul Winfield as a detective on the case of a murder. Paul Winfield was an underrated actor who pulled off all his roles with such ease, it was hard to tell the man was even acting. Maybe most known by younger viewers as the voice/narrator of "City Confidential", Winfield ends his career with a so-so movie; but as always, Winfield shines. A treat to watch.Erika Eliniak is well, Erika Eliniak, nice to look at but leaves a lot to be desired in the acting department. Though, to be fair, this is one of her better efforts.Bottom line: a watchable thriller that shouldn't be missed by any Paul Winfield fan. A decent telefilm to help send Paul Winfield off to celluloid heaven. What an actor. He will be missed.

We're talking about a low budget film, and it's understandable that there are some weaknesses (no spoilers: one sudden explosives expert and one meaningless alcoholic); but in general the story keeps you interested, most of the characters are likable and there are some original situations. I really like films that surprise you with some people that are not who they want you to believe and then twist and turn the plot ... I applaud this one on that. If you know what I mean, try to see also "Nueve Reinas" (Nine Queens) a film from Argentina.

I have to give Erica Eleniac credit: she really is trying hard to shed her early career as 'eye candy' and take on more challenging and serious roles. Hollywood being what it is, she still spends a lot of time in this movie scantilly clad...but also delivers a performance of real depth as a party girl who married for money only to find herself trapped in a loveless marriage. When she starts to plot to have her husband killed, things start to go terribly wrong. The movie uses an unusual framing devise in having the action related in a series of flashbacks from the dead woman's diary as it is being read by her younger sister (also Eleniak). Paul Winfield also delivers a solid performance as an aging cop, somewhat similar to that of Gene Hackman's aging cop in the movie 'Falling Down'. While not exactly a masterpiece, and utilizing plot devises that have cropped up many times in other movies, the quality of the cast and the dead-on solid performance by Eleniak combine to lift this film over its B-movie cliches!Recomended