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Starring: Denzel Washington, Angelina Jolie
Director: Phillip Noyce
Genre: Thriller
Year: 1999
Rating: 3 / 5

Rent Fallen. Save yourself the disappointment that you will invariably feel at the conclusion of The Bone Collector. Why do I mention both of these movies in the same breath? They are both seldom-watched thrillers starring Denzel Washington, and they both have about an hour and a half of good, tension-filled setup. The similarities end there, however, for, while Fallen excels with a truly first-rate conclusion, The Bone Collector delivers a mindless, formulaic conclusion, complete with a contrived romance for our dear leading man. Taking nothing away from Washington's efforts in both of these films, I must say that one is a definite hit while the other is a been-there, seen-that miss.

Lincoln Rhyme (Denzel Washington) is the police's leading forensic expert, having written nearly a dozen books and lectured all over the country. Lincoln, however, is a quadriplegic, and has been for four years, since a beam fell on him while investigating a crime scene. Pushed into semi-retirement, Lincoln knows that he is one epileptic seizure away from a vegetative state, and he is determined to go out on his own terms. He has fought his condition as long as he can, but he does not want to know life without the use of his greatest gift - his mind. With this in mind, he arranges to have a doctor friend help him terminate his life.

Before any of this can happen, however, a young cop, Amelia Donaghy (Angelina Jolie), stumbles upon what appears to be a staged crime scene. Next to the buried body of a wealthy businessman, she finds clues that indicate a sharp criminal mind. Not only that, but the killer is apparently leaving clues to his next victim's whereabouts, daring the police to stop him. Confined to his bed, Lincoln must work hand-in-hand with Amelia to track down this sinister threat. Bodies are piling up, and it soon becomes apparent that one of the two investigating officers may be the next target.

Director Phillip Noyce succeeds in bringing Jeffery Deaver's book to the big screen, but he is eventually undone by that writer's poor story. The images are grisly and graphic, similar in style to those portrayed in the much more complete Seven. Some of the characters adhere strictly to film stereotypes, particularly Michael Rooker's Captain Chaney, but there is a certain level of emotional involvement in the wellbeing of the two lead characters. We care for Washington's Lincoln Rhyme, as he is forced to rely solely on his intellect to work through this mystery, trusting in others in a way he never did before. And, were it not for such a poor, poor conclusion, I might actually be singing the praises of this film. As it is, The Bone Collector is a two-hour diversion, enjoyable but devoid of any real staying power.

Cast:

Denzel Washington..........	Lincoln Rhyme
Angelina Jolie..........	Amelia Donaghy
Ed O'Neill..........	Paulie Sellitto
Queen Latifah..........	Thelma

Certification: Rated R for violence and language.
Running Time: 118 minutes.

Additional Info: Internet Movie Database
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