Mortal Sins

Stars: Christopher Reeve (Superman series, Noises Off, Deathtrap). One would have thought that following 1982's instant Roman Catholic camp classic Monsignor, the only cloth Christopher Reeve would ever touch again would be a cape. To be fair, though, Reeve's portrayal of Father Cusack in this made-for-cable psycho-thriller is the only tolerable aspect of this otherwise thoroughly run-of-the-mill shocker. Hearing confession at St. Mary's, Father Cusack discovers to his horror that the confessor on the other side of the screen is the so-called "killer priest," a man who is killing women and then administering last rites. Cusack's asthmatic new sidekick, Father Daniel, is the likely suspect since the killer uses a breathalyzer. Unfortunately, Mortal Sins plays this particular red herring too long. Late in the film, the filmmakers' have the option of confirming what the audience has expected from the first 10 minutes on, or wheeling out a brand new suspect. At that point it doesn't really matter, since either option is dramatically unsatisfying. The characters are stereotypical (why do movie priests tend to speak Latin in a feverish whisper during dramatic moments while the soundtrack blares with thunderous choral music?), the filming is uninspired, and the plotting is mechanical. In fact, I'm getting bored all over again just writing about it. Audience: People who thought Exorcist II: The Heretic was cinema's finest moment.