STORYLINE:  The renowned psychiatrist Lilian Steiner mounts a private investigation into the death of one of her patients, whom she is convinced has been murdered. (IMDb)

     Films have launched many investigations.  Ghosts, goblins, and the spooky have been investigated in such films as Paranormal Activity (2007).   2015’s Spotlight focused on investigative journalism.  The hunt for a serial killer was the subject of the thriller Se7en (1995).  Jodie Foster, now investigates the possibility of murder in A Private Life.

    Not all murder investigation films are horror films, like Silence of the Lambs (1991), or thrillers such as Wind River (2017).  A Private Life is a drama.  It has moments of suspense.  The suspense is based in reality, instead of a boogeyman in the shadows, or a poltergeist haunting.  These bits of realistic suspense are sprinkled throughout the movie, mixed in with the drama, created a feature film that was intriguing to watch. 

  Adding to that intrigue was the story.   A Private Life is a murder mystery.  It’s not a traditional one though. There is no traditional crime scene, no traditional detectives, nor traditional witnesses.  You have a psychiatrist, instead of law enforcement, mounting a private investigation.  The angle is unconventional, and oy is what captivated me.  Plus the lead is Jodie Foster, who is an incredible actress. 

    A Private Life took a different approach to murder investigation in film, and I enjoyed it.

    Until next time I will see you at the movies!