The immediate reaction to watching this stylish psychological thriller is to question why Goldie Hawn didn't feature in more movies of this type. Her seemingly natural ability to convey the types of shock, confusion and distress that her character feels as she uncovers some of her husband's long-held secrets is extraordinary and equally impressive is the way in which she displays a combination of strength and vulnerability that's absolutely convincing. At various points in the story, she shows fear, determination and horror as she gradually recognises the full extent of her husband's treachery and in so doing, highlights aspects of her talent that were never able to be shown in her numerous comedy roles.
Goldie Hawn isn't the only reason for watching this movie, however, as it's also well-directed visually strong and frequently suspenseful.
Adrienne (Goldie Hawn) is a successful art restorer who meets museum curator Jack Saunders (John Heard) at her workplace. This is an apparent coincidence, as the night before, at a restaurant, she'd mistaken him for the man she was supposed to be meeting on a blind date where she was stood-up. The couple get married and for six years enjoy what seems to be the perfect marriage. Things change though, after one of Jack's colleagues, who was examining an ancient Egyptian necklace at the time, is murdered and Jack believes that the finger of suspicion is being pointed at him.
Around the same time, Adrienne finds various pieces of evidence which indicate that Jack had lied to her about his whereabouts etc. but her smooth-talking husband always manages to come up with some sort of explanation. After one such occasion, they argue and a little while after he leaves their apartment, she's informed by the police that he's been killed in a car accident. Some time later, through some information that she's given by her social security office, it comes to light that Jack had been using a false identity for many years and so Adrienne decides to carry out her own investigation to discover the truth about the man she knew as Jack. This puts her and her five-year-old daughter in great danger as she gradually uncovers the staggering scale of her husband's duplicity.
John Heard does well as the very conventional and respectable-looking Jack and conveys his character's combination of superficial charm and coldness very effectively. The threatening atmosphere that builds up as the movie progresses is also skilfully developed with Adrienne being placed in locations (dark corridors etc.) which accentuate her vulnerability and director Damian Harris having some fun by startling his audience at various junctures with the help of a screeching cat and some fluttering pigeons etc. "Deceived" may not be ground-breaking material but it is very enjoyable, nicely-twisted and extremely well-paced.
Goldie Hawn isn't the only reason for watching this movie, however, as it's also well-directed visually strong and frequently suspenseful.
Adrienne (Goldie Hawn) is a successful art restorer who meets museum curator Jack Saunders (John Heard) at her workplace. This is an apparent coincidence, as the night before, at a restaurant, she'd mistaken him for the man she was supposed to be meeting on a blind date where she was stood-up. The couple get married and for six years enjoy what seems to be the perfect marriage. Things change though, after one of Jack's colleagues, who was examining an ancient Egyptian necklace at the time, is murdered and Jack believes that the finger of suspicion is being pointed at him.
Around the same time, Adrienne finds various pieces of evidence which indicate that Jack had lied to her about his whereabouts etc. but her smooth-talking husband always manages to come up with some sort of explanation. After one such occasion, they argue and a little while after he leaves their apartment, she's informed by the police that he's been killed in a car accident. Some time later, through some information that she's given by her social security office, it comes to light that Jack had been using a false identity for many years and so Adrienne decides to carry out her own investigation to discover the truth about the man she knew as Jack. This puts her and her five-year-old daughter in great danger as she gradually uncovers the staggering scale of her husband's duplicity.
John Heard does well as the very conventional and respectable-looking Jack and conveys his character's combination of superficial charm and coldness very effectively. The threatening atmosphere that builds up as the movie progresses is also skilfully developed with Adrienne being placed in locations (dark corridors etc.) which accentuate her vulnerability and director Damian Harris having some fun by startling his audience at various junctures with the help of a screeching cat and some fluttering pigeons etc. "Deceived" may not be ground-breaking material but it is very enjoyable, nicely-twisted and extremely well-paced.