Predrag "Playing God" was supposed to be David Duchovny's breakout movie role, that came out at the height of "The X-Files"'s popularity and acclaim. I was really wondering, what can you get with a good script, good acting, good casting, poor editing, poor original music composition, and so-so direction? The answer: a film like this. The composer is channeling some of the worst b-movie concepts in the history of the last few decades here. There's a scene where Jolie gets shot that is so badly edited, directed, and scored you'll actually think it's intentionally botched... but I highly doubt it. Someone criticized the director of photography, but I didn't see any indication of incompetence in that regard here. The angles and shots you see in the final film are the fault of the director and the editor. They're not poorly lit or underexposed, and the principles look fine. The sets were also not bad, either. I would say it was likely the script that appealed to the actors and, in all honesty, how bad could some Hollywood professionals mess up a concept like this? A lot, it turns out...I had great expectations for this movie when it came out, and while I was disappointed, I thought the critics were far harsher than warranted. True, Duchovny's performance, while not bad, seems very similar to what he does on "The X-Files," a sort of flat, somewhat wry, never in real danger attitude. The biggest flaw with the movie has to be the fact that it couldn't make up its mind about what it wanted to be, film noir or dark comedy. At times, it veers toward a "Pulp Fiction"-like fascination with the minutia of being a criminal, while at other times it tries (but fails) to evoke suspense and fear. Personally, I think the dark comedy would have been the better way to go. There's a scene near the end where Duchovny, in an elevator surrounded by Asian tourists, does a deadpan response to an annoying FBI agent that's the highlight of the movie. In summary, this is a decent movie, if you lower your expectations.Overall rating: 6 out of 10.

The_Film_Cricket 'Playing God' would be nothing without three of the best actors around to bring a tired genre piece to new heights and make it intriguing.David Duchovny stars as Eugene Sands, a former surgeon who was disgraced when his attempt to balance pill popping caused him to lose a patient. Instead of trying to save his shattered career, he chose to take the easy road to addiction. As the movie opens, he is trying to buy heroine in a bar when a man is shot in argument. Quick thinking Dr. Sands becomes McGyver and fashions a breathing apparatus out of a coke bottle.His quick thinking saves the man's life and captures the attention of Claire (Angelina Jolie). She is so impressed that the next thing he knows he is being invited to the home of millionaire Raymond Blossom (Timothy Hutton). Blossom offers the good doctor a job in which he will be paid to take care of some of his friends who run into, let's just say, some unfortunate gunshot wounds of which hospitals would ask too many questions.The story is, of course, completely stupid and so is Duchovny's quicksilver surgical methods. But it didn't bother me because the realm of this kind of hard-boiled story allows it some freedom. It's helped by Duchovny who is a good looking guy but doesn't seem to be standing around posing all the time. He isn't afraid to look foolish, a quality the most actor's shy away from.Hutton is never a slouch, he goes into even the most tedious screenplay and acts his heart out. Playing the villain is easy when all you have to do is look mean, kill people and issue threats. But Hutton, as Blossom allows us to see what seduced him to his life of crime in the first place. He is an amazing presence in this film because watching him I'm drawn into his character so that I more easily identify with him.Angelina Jolie is a rare case of a gorgeous young woman who doesn't just stand around behind the actors. There is an intelligent person beneath her looks and her screen presence is as welcome as her looks. She could step into the window dressing in this film and simply be the object of lust but we sense a smart woman who is a sucker for a stray dog like Sands.We know that what we are watching is preposterous but with these three wonderful actors they are able to break away from the confines of the screenplay and absorb us.

excalibur212 One of the most boring movies i've seen in a long time, with a story that never really takes off, and a plot that goes nowhere, makes no sense, and can be summarized in one line. The only reason i even watched it was because i was having trouble sleeping, bored, and it was on a "2 for 1" Blu-Ray with "Color of Night" with Bruce Willis and Jane March (a GREAT B-movie, that is one of those it's so bad it's good...highly recommended and underrated!). I would never have paid to watch this movie or even taken time to download it for free...i can't imagine who would. I never understood why some actors have a career (David Duchovny, Kevin Cline, Kevin Spacey) who can't even act and deliver all their lines like they're stoned or asleep, in every single movie they're in. I guess they have good agents. Funny to see Angelina Jolie before she got all buffed and toned; her face actually reminds me of Christina Ricci in a strange way, without the toning and slimmed cheeks. I found nothing in this movie believable, including the strange casting choices (is Timothy's Hutton's character supposed to be bi/gay, because he certainly gives that vibe...i have never seen another movie with him in it either, and can't say i'd desire to). Basically no point to watch this movie unless you're having trouble sleeping, or out of curiosity because you bought the Color of Night Blu-Ray. Nuff said.

jotix100 What makes certain TV idols fail miserably at the movies? It's something that is hard to explain. While a lot of actors that start in television go to have great film careers, there are others like David Caruso, Matthew Perry, Gillian Armstrong, and as it is proven in this movie, David Duchovny, that will be better off to keep the day jobs in the small screen where they can excel.A ridiculous screen play doesn't add anything new to the genre, as is the case with this film. Then, we hear the flat reading that Mr. Duchovny, as the narrator, gives in a voice over, that practically sinks the movie. He sounds pathetic. Just hearing the theme song is enough to turn any would be viewer away!Most films are made with the best intentions. There must be a lot of things that can go wrong, as it appears to be the case with this one, and not because the film makers decided to sabotage the movie. I had not seen this film in its commercial run, and since there was nothing else going on, decided to take a look at it when it was shown on cable.A caution: Watch it at your own risk!