Unforgettable (1996)

Directed by John Dahl. Starring Ray Liotta, Linda Fiorentino, Peter Coyote, Christopher McDonald, David Paymer, Kim Cattrall, Duncan Fraser, Kim Coates. [R]

Medical examiner Liotta injects himself with a serum composed of his murdered wife’s spinal fluid so he can “relive” the memories of her final moments and uncover her killer. Utterly preposterous premise, but thrillers aren’t usually known for their grasp on reality; however, this one just gets worse and worse, with convolutions that aren’t meant to be untangled lest the headache exacerbate. Reunites director Dahl with co-star Fiorentino, but her lethargic performance and his overblown stylizations are a million miles from The Last Seduction. As for Liotta, he bizarrely underplays his role amid the voyeuristic absurdities that make Brian De Palma look timid. Strains for poignancy in the final moments, but it’s easier to care about the plight of Fiorentino’s lab rats. And, yes, Nat King Cole can be heard on the soundtrack.

29/100