Product Description

The body of a young woman is found in a ditch in the woods of the small California coastal town of San Benito. SANDRA BULLOCK ("Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood," "Miss Congeniality"), stars as Cassie Mayweather, the seasoned homicide detective and crime scene specialist assigned to the case along with her new partner San Kennedy (BEN CHAPLIN - "Lost Souls," "The Thin Red Line"). The two dectectives make their way through microscopic hints of evidence, which seem to indicate a random act of violence, but Cassie has a gut feeling that there is more to this murder than meets the eye. Something about this case reminds her of her past exactly at a time when she is asked to appear at a parole hearing on an old police matter. These events force Cassie to revisit the past.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9235 in DVD
• Brand: Warner Brothers
• Released on: 2004-06-01
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 120 minutes

Amazon.com
While reinventing Leopold and Loeb for a new and troubled millennium, Murder by Numbers probes the disturbing psychology of two teenaged murderers and the cleverness of their crime. Like Hitchcock's Rope and other films inspired by the Leopold and Loeb case of the 1920s, the film intensifies as it explores the repressed (and subtly homosexual) tensions between high-school outcasts Richard (Ryan Gosling) and Justin (Michael Pitt), who randomly kill a woman to enact an amoral philosophy--and to tease a savvy homicide detective (Sandra Bullock) with misleading clues. While clashing with the by-the-book procedure of her partner (Ben Chaplin), Bullock gives one of her best performances in a role that comes with its own set of psychological hurdles. It's comfortable territory for Reversal of Fortune director Barbet Schroeder, who draws fine work from his cast while proving that there's no such thing as a perfect crime. --Jeff Shannon

From The New Yorker
Cheesy, but absorbing. Two would-be high-school supermen-the morosely bookish Justin (Michael Pitt), who carries a volume of Rimbaud around with him, and his friend Richard (Ryan Gosling), a cocky rich kid with superior powers of seduction and intimidation-randomly select a woman in their California town and murder her. Their nemesis: a neurotically driven homicide detective (Sandra Bullock) who lives with an unhappy past. Bullock enters the crime scene holding a doughnut box and speaks quietly, her attention fixed on the dead body and the terrain. Is she believable as a crime specialist? Well, she's believable as a comedy star attempting to give a serious performance as a crime specialist. The scenes of detection are woven together with grisly episodes from the crime, seen in flashbacks. The director, Barbet Schroeder, and the screenwriter, Tony Gayton, bring out the perverse psychological connection between Bullock and the contemptible but attractive kid played by Gosling. -David Denby
Copyright © 2006 The New Yorker

Customer Reviews

A thrilling film!
Finally, Sandra Bullock has acted in a good film! Ever since I saw her in 'Speed', I always thought that she was a talented actress. But then 'While you were sleeping' and 'Hope floats' were thoroughly cliched and made me wonder if she was just a one-film wonder. Well, she did prove me otherwise in 'Murder by numbers'.

If you thought from the title or the trailer that this film is about a serial killer, you are wrong (I did that same mistake too!). This film is about the perfect crime or what the killer(s) think will be a perfect crime. As is the case with all killers, they do one simple mistake and that is enough for Casey (the cop played by Sandra Bullock) and her partner Sam to solve the case.

Even though there is no actual suspense in the film, I will not spoil the plot by telling who the killers are. The director does not attempt to hide the identity of the killers, it is fairly clear who the killers are right from the first or second scene. In spite of this, the film continues to gather momentum, with Sandra Bullock and her partner doing their detective work meticulously. Where the film lacks in suspense, it more than makes up for it in the tight story-line and the excellent acting by all the actors.

Sandra Bullock is very convincing as the troubled cop who has a checkered history of her own and that comes to light as the film progresses. Ben Chaplin, who plays Bullock's partner Sam is good too, but the best acting in the film comes from the two young men played by Ryan Gosling (who plays Richard) and Michael Pitt (who plays Justin). Gosling is nothing less than brilliant in his portrayal and his future as an actor sure looks bright.

The film drags a bit towards the end, with the climax being a bit cliched. But this is surely a film that is worth seeing!

Follow the crumbs
Sandra Bullock does a great job of playing a detective looking for a murderer. The clues are a bit to neat to suit her and she begins to look deeper. This movie was borderline Hitchcock style murder mystery and very smoothly done. Just a little stronger acting by Ben Chaplin and Ryan Gosling and it would have been a major hit. They do a good job but they are not the caliber of Ed Norton in "Primal Fear". If they were they would have got at least oscar nominations if not awards. I still think they turn in fine performances and were not appreciated. I personally think the whole movie was underrated. I think it improves with additional viewings. You begin to truly appreciate the performances and the story. A Hitchcock air about it that makes you think of "The Rope" and "Vertigo". I bought the DVD and I recommend it. Most fans of movies like "Kiss the Girls" and "Along Came a Spider" will enjoy it.

Should I Go See This Movie?
Critics gave this only a couple stars. Fans give it four. If you go to movies to evaluate an art form, stick to the stupid boring movies the critics love. If you want to get good value for your entertainment dollar, go see this movie.

This is the serious side of Sandra Bullock. And it is a good one. Not the funny, girl next door of While You Were Sleeping, or Miss Congeniality. More on the level of Practical Magic. Not so serious as Hope Floats.

She gets a lot of on screen time, which is what her fans pay the money for.

The story - two teenagers with too much time on their hands and not enough hobbies think they can get away with murder. Sandra uses her gut instincts far more than her forensic training to read right into their soul and sniff out the rats for what they are.

There are some twists and turns in the story but the characters are not developed well at all. There is a "deep, dark secret" that motivates her cop character that really get lip service rather than providing any insight into her motivations. Still, it is a one dimensional romp showcasing Sandra's great looks and engaging voice. Very well worth the price of admisssion.

I have seen many worse movies that critics swooned over and even gave Oscars to, so don't put much stock in what they say. If you like Sandra Bullock, you will like this show.