Quiet Witness

Dermot Mulroney and Michael Cudlitz in "Quiet Witness" Shot in Toronto by Sandbar Pictures and Howard Braunstein Films. Executive producers, Lizzie Friedman, Greg Little, Howard Braunstein supervisory producer, Steve Solomos producer, Deborah Marks director, Peter Markle author, Thomas Michael Donnelly using the book by Richard North Patterson.Tony Master - Dermot Mulroney Mike Robb - Michael Cudlitz Kate Robb - Anne Heche Ramos - Anthony Ruivivar Stella Marz - Lisa Berry Saul Rubin - Judd HirschA tawdry tale of small-town sex and violence with only enough twists to keep the expected action compelling, "Quiet Witness" presents an sufficient defense for TNT's "Mystery Movie Evening" experiment. Using the 1997 bestseller by Richard North Patterson, the largely courtroom-set thriller dips into types of friendship, middle-aged anxiety, defense attorney ethics as well as the past's inexorable grip round the present. The shallow but competent outcome should have ratings prospects in line with other movies inside the four-week wheel. Hotshot defense attorney Tony Master (Dermot Mulroney) unwillingly returns to his hometown of Lake City, Ohio, when his childhood nearest friend Mike Robb (Michael Cudlitz) is billed with killing a greater school track star. Pals and former all-star sports sports athletes, the written text between Tony and Mike has managed to get one high-profile murder situation: When they were teens, Tony was accused but found innocent of killing his girlfriend, and Mike never doubted his friend's innocence. When the tables are switched, Tony isn't sure they can exactly the same about Mike. Not helping matters: Tony discovers 46-year-old assistant principal Mike wasn't just training the 16-year-old victim to follow-meet victories, he was sleeping along with her, too. But Mike demands he isn't a killer and Tony takes the problem, neglecting the recommendations of his mentor (Judd Hirsch) that, "In criminal, old pals aren't the most effective clients." Ultimately, Sam's wife Kate (Anne Heche) -- who also visited secondary school while using males -- had just as much motive to off her husband's youthful lover, as well as the victim stood a questionable bond with another older guy (Anthony Ruivivar). The title provides possibly too big a concept for the mystery's resolution, but director Peter Markle ("Flight 93") runs a legal court docket action and Tony and Sam's fractured friendship with smooth efficiency, placing equal concentrate on plot twists and emotional beats. His straightforward visual style keeps the story moving along without distraction, during brief flashbacks for the characters' eighties glory days. The capable cast dutifully encounters the motions. If this describes an audition for Mulroney to headline their very own TNT series, he'd work. It's more disappointing to look for the kooky energy Heche provides a ho-hum role get sidelined with the extensive legal cases. "Quiet Witness" won't be considered a resume highlight for anyone involved, but a few overwrought moments aside, it is not an embarrassment either.Camera, Mark Irwin production designer, Franco p Cotiis editor, Scott Boyd music, Velton Ray Bunch casting, Trina Sandrich-Gelfond, Tina Gerussi, Amanda Mackey. 120 MIN. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com