When it comes to remakes of classics of old, it is a touchy affair, one could say, to see the remake and consider it better than the original would be considered infidelity.
*See what I totally did there? :D*
Andrew Davis's re-imagining of Hitchcock's 'Dial 'M' For Murder' (which was loosely based on a play) doesn't spit upon The Master's work, nor does it try to ape it and that's why I personally feel it is the better of the two. This is perhaps one of the better contemporary suspense thrillers of last century that never fails to keep the audience pinned to the chair with anticipation and excitement.
Steven Taylor (a snide and quietly maliciously Machivellian Michael Douglas) lives a pretty cushy life as a business-savvy Wall Street bull who is married to the lovely (and much younger) trophy wife, Emily, a worker for the UN. This changes when Taylor's investments begin to unravel and, being the ruthless bastard he is, decides that killing Emily for her rather sizeable fortune is the best way keep his financial head above water, as ya do.
Adding fuel to this dastardly plan is the fact that Steven knows that Emily is involved in a passionate affair with David Shaw, a painter of limited means who just happens to live in a rather large loft. Rather than do the decent thing and talk to Shaw about how he's wreaking his (admittedly one-sided marriage) with Emily, Steven offers Shaw the opportunity to get a massive share in his murder plot by being the one to take Emily's life.
How's your head? It gets better, and by that, I mean more complicated. :-D
The reason why 'A Perfect Murder' works much better than it's predecessor is it's characters and their psychology. You have Steven, constantly scheming, always making plans and formulating exquisite lies, you have Emily, an unknowing victim of these plans who is trying to stay alive and get to the bottom of this shit, and then you have Shaw, who may, or may not be who he says he is, and may or may not, want to kill Emily. As convoluted as this story seems, it is something you can go with because it is masterfully done.
While the characters and their motives are the primary focus, the rest of the movie isn't sacrificed. We have a marvelously subtle score by James Newton Howard, some terrific camera craft (a strong example being the initial attempt on Emily's life- very suspenseful) and the excellent use of the unimitable scenery of New York, as well as it's locations (I SO want Steve and Emily's townhouse! I SO want Shaw's strangely affordable studio loft!).
Sure, Hitchcock's 'Dial M' is a classic, but in no way does this update try to intrude on the ground recently tread by The Master. Technically speaking, 'Perfect' is bound more to the theatrical play that was the source of 'Dial M' and that is what gives it a separate life of it's own. Another reason why I feel 'Perfect' surpasses the 'Dial M' is because it is more culturally relevant to audiences now, even though this movie was made way back in '98. Sure it has dated a little, but it boasts a far more relatable assortment of talent as well as social relevance. For example, when it comes to pro-active female roles in cinema today, Paltrow's character, while blonde and vulnerable on the surface, is a lot tougher than Grace Kelly was. Yes, her character was a cheater, and yes, her morals are flawed, and no, she isn't exactly a role model, Paltrow ensures that Emily's strength shines through as Steven continues to secretly make her life a living nightmare.
On the whole, 'Perfect' may not be perfection, but it's quite an impressive adaptation of a remake of an original. If you are looking for a vastly entertaining suspense thriller, this one should be on the list because there is heaps to love in ample time to kill.
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