Shadow of Doubt

Melanie Griffith plays controversial L. A. defense attorney Kitt Devereux ("Kitt Devereux?! Strike one."), who's been hired to defend an up-and-coming rap star accused of brutally murdering a billionaire's troubled daughter after some rough sex. Enter Tom Berenger as Assistant D. A. (and ex-Kitt squeeze) Jack Campioni, whose job it is to prosecute the trash-talkin' rapper in this high-profile case which, of course, has attracted interest in the highest echelons of politics and finance. ("Strike two.") But before you can say "Approach the bench, Ms. Devereux!," Kitt learns of a conspiracy to frame her client, a conspiracy she uncovers with the aid of her ingenious, Indian food-obsessed techie assistant Al Gordon, played by ex-crooner Huey Lewis. ("Strike three!"). Nothing here that hasn't been done before, or far better. Griffith and Berenger just go through the motions in this domestic direct-to-video release with few thrills and even less surprises. While the technical credits are all very good and acting is competent (if by the book), your time would be better spent in almost any other way. Not a necessary purchase. (S. C. Sickles)