Here we have the old fashioned formula for suspense, mystery and thrills based on the ordinary mans successful life and what can go wrong? Hidden within the story is a story and then another and the points of view from the different players all keep you guessing as if to ask...are they what they are representing to be or is their more to what we see and hear. It follows in the best footsteps of the who dunnit and surely at some point, no one is above suspicion. I personally thought the sex scenes totally unnecessary and overdone and of course there are those that will now watch this for that reason. But those scenes distract and that is not why I gave this a ten. It is a gripper, edge of your seat, pay attention to what's happening type movie. Popcorn, sunflower seeds or tasty snack recommended to keep fingernails out of mouth. Include a tasty drink...enjoy

"Escape Clause" from 1996 is a low-budget film starring Andrew McCarthy, Kate McNeil, and Paul Sorvino.McCarthy is Richard Ramsey, an insurance adjuster and quite well-known in the industry for the "Ramsey Curve" used by insurance companies. He seems to have a great sex life with his wife (McNeil), but out of bed, they have a few problems. One day he receives a phone call from someone who says that Richard's wife hired him to murder him for $10,000. For $20,000, he'll forget about him.When Richard finally goes to meet him, someone shoots the hit-man. Shortly afterward, his wife is found dead.Richard finds himself under suspicion by the lead detective (Paul Sorvino) and tries to find out who is responsible for his situation. There are a few suspects, including his wife's best friend, who has always had a crush on Richard. There is also a Japanese partner who works in the firm and seems to be the new golden boy. Meanwhile, his wife's parents are trying to get custody of his children.I actually thought Andrew McCarthy was pretty good. The character is very volatile and erratic. You could easily see him going off the rails and killing his wife. I could have used a little more back story. Paul Sorvino is good as well. Kate McNeil has a great figure and shows it off.The denouement of this movie is ridiculous. Just know what you're getting into before you watch it.

This is really a pretty good story. It's a good mystery that has you wondering who dunnit, at least for he first hour and a half. The letdown comes at the end, with a totally implausible ending that's pretty-much an anti-climax.Note: Possible spoilers ahead...There's one really lame part where one cop holds up a semi-automatic pistol and declares, "It's a ballistics match, with three shells expended..." There is no way to know on an auto-loading pistol how many 'shells have been expended', unless you have found the 'shells' at the scene. Simply deducting the remaining cartridges from the capacity is not enough to determine this, as it is unknown how many cartridges were loaded in the first place.The whole premise of the movie with respect to the 'curve' is not plausible...I don't buy the motivation of the killer.It's a good time waster, but the ending will be a letdown.

I was cajoled into watching this TV movie by the wife, who has very positive nostalgic memories of Andrew McCarthy (Mannequin, Pretty in Pink, St Elmo's Fire) and found it to be actually rather good.It may not have the budget of The Usual Suspects, but it's intriguing none the less as the nice plot gradually plays out. Some of the whodunnits are very obvious, as McCarthy tries to piece together who killed his wife and why, like the supposed friend and work colleague or the father in law, but overall this is one worth sticking with to the end.Good performance by the guy of The Sopranos and also look out for the laughingly titled magazine 'Dungeon Bitch' - used to put the colleague in the frame.As long as you don't expect too much, you'll enjoy.R