Eyewitness - Testimone nell'ombra

Going by the title 'Eyewitness' when I saw the movie (which isn't as ungainly as the alternative 'Trapped by my Father's Killer'), is this sometimes suspenseful though frequently predictable Canuck crime-thriller concerning an escaped prisoner seeking revenge for his supposed wrongful incarceration on a double murder rap. Unfortunately most sleuths will find the answer to the mystery is telegraphed too boldly in one particular scene, but it's still somewhat fun getting there, even if the eventual climax becomes a little repetitive.

The central characters played by Booth and Olejnik are a bit uneven but that seems to be more a functional fault of the plot which is too contrived and simplistic, the turning point in the story attributable to a fairly significant oversight which defies logic. Similarly weak is the time pressure Olejnik's character is under to solve the mystery before his daughter is adopted, but it at least gives Booth's character a reason to feel some sympathy for his plight.

Technically it's fine for a telemovie (Canadian, shot on location) although some of the supporting performances are a little stilted and there's unnecessary padding used to beef up the runtime in the absence of a more elaborate plot. Occasionally tense yet very predictable desktop mystery might leave you feeling a little short changed with the all too neatly wrapped conclusion, and so overall it's an average TV movie time filler.