Taking Lives (film)
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motion picture |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Founder | D. J. Caruso (director) |
| Products | Psychological thriller film |
| Parent | Warner Bros. Pictures (distributor) |
Taking Lives is a 2004 American psychological thriller helmed by director D. J. Caruso, featuring performances by Angelina Jolie and Ethan Hawke, with supporting appearances from Kiefer Sutherland, Olivier Martinez, among others. The storyline is loosely inspired by Michael Pye's 1999 novel and centers on a serial murderer who assumes the identities of his victims.
The production was undertaken by Village Roadshow Pictures and Atmosphere Pictures, with filming locations in Montréal and Quebec City. The soundtrack includes compositions by Philip Glass and a main theme created by Walter Werzowa of Edelweiss. Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, the movie premiered on March 19, 2004. Despite a production budget of $45 million, it earned $65.4 million globally but was met with predominantly unfavorable critiques.
Plot
In 1983, Martin Asher murders his friend Matt Soulsby to take over his identity. Fast forward twenty-one years, FBI profiler Illeana Scott collaborates with Montreal law enforcement to track down a serial killer who evades capture by adopting the personas of his victims throughout North America.
An eyewitness, art dealer James Costa, assists the police in locating the suspect’s apartment, leading to the discovery of a dead body. Martin’s mother claims she has seen her son, presumed dead, alive again, casting suspicion on him. Illeana investigates Martin’s troubled history and uncovers a hidden room but is assaulted before she can identify her attacker.
Martin then sets his sights on James; despite a botched sting operation, James survives an abduction attempt following a car accident. During the investigation, Illeana and James develop a personal connection. After a hospital visit, Illeana realizes Martin remains alive when James reveals himself as Martin, kills his mother, and flees.
Authorities confirm that the individual killed in the crash was one of Martin’s associates. Pursued by law enforcement, Martin vanishes after taunting Illeana via phone. Following their intimate involvement, Illeana is dismissed from the FBI.
Seven months later, Illeana pretends to be pregnant with Martin’s twins as part of a trap at her farmhouse. When Martin attacks her, she fatally stabs him with scissors, bringing the case to a close and notifying police accordingly.
Story and writing credit
The movie is adapted from Michael Pye's novel Taking Lives. Several writers contributed to the screenplay: Jon Bokenkamp authored the initial draft, with subsequent revisions by Nicholas Kazan, Hilary Seitz, and David Ayer. The Writers Guild of America ultimately granted sole screenplay and adaptation credit to Bokenkamp.
Production
Early casting talks in 2001 included Jennifer Lopez with Tony Scott attached as director. By September 2002, Angelina Jolie and Ethan Hawke entered negotiations for leading roles after initial considerations of Cate Blanchett and Gwyneth Paltrow for the female lead. Kiefer Sutherland joined in May 2003 alongside director D. J. Caruso. Olivier Martinez and Gena Rowlands were also cast that month. Principal photography began in Montreal later that May.
Critical response
The film was largely panned by critics; Rotten Tomatoes reports a 22% approval rating based on 157 reviews, describing it as "a stylish yet predictable thriller where the only excitement comes from Angelina Jolie’s allure."Roger Ebert awarded it three out of four stars, calling it "an effective thriller on its modest but stylish terms." In contrast, UK publication Total Film rated it two out of five stars, labeling it "more serial-killer flick than serial killer — this formula has been recycled countless times."
Angelina Jolie received a Razzie Award nomination for Worst Actress for her roles in this film and Alexander, but lost to Halle Berry for Catwoman. Ethan Hawke later referred to the movie as "terrible."
Box office
Taking Lives earned $32.7 million domestically within the United States and accumulated a total of $65.5 million globally.