Conspiracy Theory (1997)

A New York taxi driver (Mel Gibson) is a conspiracy theorist nut and even publishes a newsletter espousing his wacky conspiracy theories. He's certifiably crazy but like a broken clock that's right twice a day, he apparently hits the mark because suddenly a covert government agency is after him. To this end, he attempts to coerce a lawyer (Julia Roberts) with the Justice Department to help him. Directed by Richard Donner (THE OMEN), the first part of the film is pretty wonderful for most of its running time. Gibson, who gives a terrific performance here, really pulls us into his world of paranoia until we wonder if he's not so crazy after all. Julia Roberts' underplaying provides a nice contrast to Gibson's hyper intensity. Unfortunately, like too many films it can't sustain itself and the movie's last 45 minutes become a standard action movie (Gibson may as well be in one of his LETHAL WEAPON movies). It's not enough to ruin the movie but it prevents it from joining the great conspiracy films of the 70s like THE PARALLAX VIEW, THREE DAYS OF THE CONDOR, ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN etc. There's a sensational score by Carter Burwell. With Patrick Stewart and Cylk Cozart.