Michael Caine is a formerly successful playwright of the macabre who has had four flops on Broadway in a row, and his latest is an absolute disaster. He sees a way for a smash hit, and it is as sinister as any of the plots of his plays. It involves murder, of course, and his ailing wife (Dyan Cannon) can't believe her eyes when right before them he seemingly murders a young playwright (Christopher Reeve). This of course leads to some surprising revelations and thanks to the presence of a nosy neighbor (the very funny Irene Worth), the twists keep coming at you like raindrops during a hurricane.There is no way to review this without giving away much, and the film should reveal its twists naturally with little being known. I will say then, that this is a clever and handsome adaption of the hit Broadway play, surprising many with a sudden kiss between two of the performers that comes out of nowhere, featuring Cannon's howling scream every time someone comes into a room. She is delightfully funny, a lot less sinister than her conniving wife in "Heaven Can Wait", yet equally as frenetic. The shot of Caine's play being performed at Broadway's Music Box Theatre reveals a play obviously so bad it is surprising that it made it there at all. Real critics come on to spoof their own television images and that gives this a realistic approach to Broadway opening night with Caine proceeding to get rip-roaring drunk, dropping a bottle as he catches a train at Grand Central Station.$52 later from his Long Island stop to his windmill home (a gorgeous set worthy of mention) and Caine is harping at his nervous wife and plotting a scheme so nefarious that you will never know what is going to come next. Reeve's character, the young playwright who becomes a "victim" of Caine's scheme, has issues of his own, and those who have any connection with the theater, whether it be professionally or like me a regular audience, will recognize the type he is playing. Caine cleverly identifies him as a sociopath, and this is where the play twists towards one up-manship, and a revelation involving the delightful North that will have you howling.A clever supporting performance by the delightful Henry Jones as Cannon's attorney is small but importantly revealing to many things going on. His high-hat pitched voice, slightly snobby nose sniffing things out around him, yet obvious compassion, makes Jones one of the more interesting character actors of his time. Actors like him can take a very small role and make their presence unforgettable.With speedy pacing by Sidney Lumet, Ira Levin's play (adapted by him for the screen) is a delightful black comedy of deception, betrayal and a surprise involving someone being exactly in the right place at the right time. Everybody is on their toes in this, sort of the murderous "Noises Off!", another comical play about the theater which would later be a movie starring none other than Michael Caine.

Playwright Sidney Bruhl (a wonderfully over-the-top Michael Caine) would kill for a hit play. Enter young wonder kid (a solid Reeve) who's just written such a play. Weave into this Bruhl's overly hysterical wife (superbly played by Cannon) and a German psychic (a very funny Irene Worth) and you've got yourself a wonderfully funny suspense flick.While not up to "Sleuth" standards, "Deathtrap" is none the less a very capable, twist filled comical suspense ride based on a terrific play by Ira Levin. The performers are obviously having a field day with the material, with Caine in particular delivering top notch lines with gusto.The film loses a bit of steam midway through and the ending is a lot less satisfying than the hilarious one in the original play but overall "Deathtrap" is solid, well acted and suspenseful fun.

I do not believe all the praise for this movie. The play and movie were a ripoff of Sleuth. Michael Caine wishes he were Olivier, and Reeves wishes he were Caine. Caine even had the nerve to do a remake of Sleuth with Jude Law playing his original part. Jude Law? You mean the one that did the remake of "Alfie"? This movie was made during a period of Caine's career when it was obvious he needed to pay off gambling debts. He would do anything for money. He would star in such award winning movies such as this, and "Beyond the Poseidon Adventure". What seems to be driving the praise for this movie is Reeves death. He deserves better than to be remembered for this lousy movie. And so does Caine. This movie can be found in the $5.97 bin at Walmart. Along with gems like "The Island", and "Blame it on Rio".

Ira Levin's Deathtrap is one of those mystery films in the tradition of Sleuth that would be very easy to spoil given any real examination of the plot of the film. Therefore I will be brief in saying it concerns a play, one man who is a famous mystery playwright, another man who is a promising writer, the playwright's wife who is much younger and sexier than the role should have been, and one German psychic along for the ride. Director Sidney Lumet, no stranger to film, is quite good for the most part in creating the tension the film needs to motor on. The dialog is quick, fresh, and witty. Michael Caine excels in roles like these. Christopher Reeve is serviceable and actually grows on you the more you see him act. Irene Worth stands out as the funny psychic. How about Dyan Cannon? Love how Lumet packaged her posterior in those real tight-fitting pants and had her wear possibly the snuggest tops around, but she is terribly miscast in this role - a role which should have been given to an older actress and one certainly less seductive. But why quibble with an obvious attempt to bribe its male viewers when nothing will change it now? Deathtrap is funny, sophisticated, witty, and classy. The mystery has some glaring flaws which do detract somewhat, and I was not wholly satisfied with the ending, but watching Caine and Reeve under Lumet's direction with Levin's elevated verbiage was enough to ensnare my interest and keep it captive the entire length of the film.