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Witch Hunt
Witch Hunt (1994)(TV)...Finn Macha
Plot Synopsis: a Hollywood private investigator gets involved in a murder with some supernatural complications (namely Julian). Very much in the style of the pulp detective novels of the 40's and 50's, complete with Hollywood starlets and tough characters.
Review: this film is far more than a supernatural detective story brought to life for HBO; it's a cleverly-written, well-made social commentary, going back to the McCarthy era in Hollywood, with a clear message from the creative community that was so tormented by the anti-Communist mentality at the time.
Dennis Hopper is the cynical detective who himself refuses to use magic at a time and place where you snap your fingers to light your cigarette and call in a "licensed practitioner" to remodel your kitchen in an instant. A beautiful starlet (Penelope Ann Miller) hires him to get proof that her hot-shot producer husband is cheating on her with an extra. When the husband is murdered by magical means, things get serious, as first the wife, and then the detective's office-mate, a "licensed practitioner" working for the same producer, are accused of the crime as part of a senator's campaign to end magic use in Hollywood and America in general. The investigation is complicated by magical run-ins with old foe Finn Macha, a less than ethical "practitioner" played by Julian.
I
enjoyed this movie so much more than I'd thought I would. Not only
that: I LOVED IT! It easily stands up with A Room With a View
for me. Not just because Julian was in it (the part's not big enough
to do that on its own), but because of the fabulous writing, great
scenery and production, and some really great performances. In fact,
the only criticism I had about the movie... I hate to
say it... is Julian's accent. Finn Macha is Irish, and as you know if
you've read My Response to the Critics, I
just don't think accents are Julian's strong-suit. On the other hand,
he gets a lot better toward the end of the film, and I think if
they'd given him some more time to work on it, he would have gotten
it totally right. And I'm pickier about this subject than most, so I
doubt most people would even notice a flaw at all. Any problems with
the accent get lost in the enjoyment of a great performance as the
truly unique Finn Macha. It certainly didn't detract in any way from
my enjoyment of the film, and enjoy it I did - immensely!
Availability: released on video, but hard to find.