I am CAPTIVATED by Red Corner !

The mystery movie I chose to watch was the 1997's Red Corner featuring Richard Gere. The genre of this movie was unclear at the beginning of the movie. It started with the main character, Jack Moore, being seduced by a Chinese woman and having a one-night stand with her. From the first scene you would assume it was a romance movie, but when Jack was awoken in the morning, covered in blood, by the Chinese police the entire movie changed. Jack is being accused of killing the asian woman but he keeps repeating he is a U.S Citizen thinking that would help. When he request to get an attorney and talk to the American Embassy, the strict Chinese Police points to a quote on the wall. It read: "Leniency for those who confess, Severity to those that resist.", and when Jack screams he is not resisting he is slapped with force.

This movie shows how harsh the government in other countries can be. He is not allowed to have an out of country lawyer representing him in court. Throughout the movie, it is repeated that there must be respect given to Chinese legal system. They honor honesty and confessing to committing a crime instead of resisting their charges. The movie presents how bias and unfair the law can be towards an outsider. Jack is constantly being ridiculed and abused because he is sought as killer to the Chinese Officials. This mistreatment towards him makes the viewer question the loyalty or truthfulness of the people who surround Jack.

The mystery behind this movie is the question of what really happened that night. The huge gap in the movie leaves the viewer questioning everything including Jack's insanity. It is hard to choose sides in this movie (China's legal system or Jack Moore) because of the missing scene. The evidence points to Jack killing the woman but he could have been framed. The movie makes the viewer believe that. The Chinese legal system side has very good points. They see him as an outsider from the United States which is filled with more crime than China.

Overall this movie keeps the viewer interested and intrigued. The many obstacles and mysteries that Jack Moore goes through to prove his innocence keeps the viewer captivated. It also keeps you at the edge of your seat awaiting the next twist or turn in the movie.