Above Suspicion

Above Suspicion is a captivating television movie from 2000, directed by Stephen La Rocque and starring Scott Bakula, Annabella Sciorra, and George Dzundza. This engaging film combines the elements of a crime drama and a psychological thriller, creating a tumultuous plot that grips its audience in a web of suspense and high stakes.

The movie's plot revolves around Dempsey Cain, a dedicated police officer portrayed by the talented Scott Bakula. Cain is at the peak of his career and has a loving family on his side, making for an enviable existence where everything seems to have fallen into place perfectly. However, a sudden and a heart-wrenching tragedy shatters this idyllic life, leaving Cain in a debilitating condition. Instead of his stalwart position as a protector of the law, Cain finds himself relegated to a wheelchair, trapped within his own home and brutally stripped of his cherished independence.

At this point, we see Annabella Sciorra as Gail, Dempsey's devoted wife who faithfully stands by his side through this drastic life change. Gail, who was previously adorned with happiness and a comfortable life, finds herself hurdled into an undesirable situation of care-giving and despair. Her world morphs into a continuous spiral of hardships wherein she is forced to navigate her husband's disability, his changed personality, and the plethora of emotions within herself.

Eventually, amidst the tense atmosphere of adaptation and readjustment, an unexpected character enters the narrative— Detective Alan Rhinehart, a hard-edged cop played by George Dzundza. Rhinehart befriends Dempsey, attempting to fill the void created by Cain's forced retirement and subsequent isolation. His presence, however, turns out to be much more disruptive than what it initially appears to be and a complex series of events unfurls, altering the dynamics of Dempsey's relationship with Gail and hurling the trio into a whirlpool of questionable actions and surprising revelations.

Above Suspicion is a relentlessly engaging film that cleverly interweaves themes of love, betrayal, revenge, and vulnerability. Under the adept direction of Stephen La Rocque, the story takes various shocking turns, leaving viewers perpetually on edge. Not only does the film deal with the aftermath of a devastating incident, but it also explores how each character handles their transformation over time, due to circumstances beyond their control.

Scott Bakula delivers a striking performance as Dempsey Cain, a man battling with his loss and fighting to reclaim control over his life. Bakula's portrayal of Dempsey's resilience, determination, and oscillating feelings of frustration and defiance illuminates the screen, making his character extremely relatable and humanly flawed.

Counterbalancing Bakula's strong role, Annabella Sciorra presents a riveting portrayal of Gail, the wife who is strained yet patient, loving yet resentful. Sciorra's impressive performance brings Gail's character to life, portraying her struggles and emotional turmoil in dealing with Dempsey's condition, drawing empathetic bonds with the viewers.

Completing the triangular arrangement, George Dzundza gives a pumping adrenaline performance as Detective Alan Rhinehart. Rhinehart's character is neatly layered with complexities, and Dzundza does an outstanding job of revealing those layers without overplaying them, thus keeping his character's intentions unpredictable and mysterious.

Overall, Above Suspicion is not just a tale about the catastrophe that befalls Dempsey Cain, but also a reflection on human fallibility, the struggles of adjustment, the gray complexities of morality, and the lasting impact of irreversible decisions. The narrative's ability to allow the audience to empathize with its characters, regardless of their actions, provides a thrilling experience rich in ambiguity, questionable morality, and heart-pounding suspense.

In a nutshell, Above Suspicion is a roller-coaster of emotions, delivering shocks, thrills and surprises, and deeply digging into the psyche of its characters. It is highly recommended for viewers who love their drama sprinkled with elements of crime and suspense.