Crime and Punishment in Suburbia

In director Robert Schmidt's adapation of Fyodor Dostoevsky's classic novel CRIME AND PUNISHMENT (the "in Suburbia" is Schmidt's addition), the role of the protagonist is played not by a troubled young man who kills his landlady, but by a teenage girl (Monica Keena) who murders an older man who has been molesting her. The punishment, rather than a police interrogation and exhile to Siberia, is a series of psychological discussions with a common cop (Kartheiser) who has a romantic interest in her. An interesting take on an old story, the film raises the nagging moral questions: When is a crime justifiable? and How does the punishment fit the crime?

Drama. Rated R for brutal violence, strong sexuality, language and substance abuse.

Starring: Ellen Barkin, Jeffrey Wright, Monica Keena, James DeBello, Michael Ironside.
Directed by Rob Schmidt.
Produced by Pamela Koffler, Larry Gross and Christine Vachon.
Written by Larry Gross.

Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release Date: September 15, 2000 (NY/LA)

Reviews

The New York Times
"Completed before the release of American Beauty, this contrived, puffed up little picture nonetheless seems like a ripoff, perhaps because it mines the same tired assumptions and unexamined stereotypes about suburban family life."

Film.com
"The lead actresses...are asked to do little more than stare blankly for most of their screen time, an acting choice which, unfortunately, underscores all that's wrong with their wan, anemic characters."

E! Online - (grade: D)
"The crime? Turning Fyodor Dostoyevsky's classic novel into a glorified music video."

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