Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, March 16, 1991                   TAG: 9103160327
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: E-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: MIKE MAYO CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

`GUILTY BY SUSPICION' IS SERIOUS ATTEMPT TO TELL IMPORTANT STORY

In the late 1940s and early '50s, a "red scare" swept the country, from Sen. Joseph McCarthy's calculated demagoguery to the institution of loyalty oaths in the Truman administration and private industry. This fear of an international communist conspiracy became particularly ugly in the entertainment industry, where it took a nasty personal turn. Those accused of not being "politically correct" had to identify other with suspect views before they could be forgiven.

There was never any real evidence that these people actively supported the Soviet Union over America, or that their political beliefs were reflected in their work. Many of them were forced out of their jobs simply because they were suspected of having unpopular opinions and because they refused to implicate others. "Guilty By Suspicion" tells their story in recognizable human terms.

As it begins, David Merrill (Robert De Niro), a successful director, has just returned to Hollywood from work in Europe. HUAC is flexing its muscles, and writer Larry Nolan (Chris Cooper) has just pointed the finger at Bunny Baxter (George Wendt). Baxter is Merrill's best friend. Neither man has strong political beliefs, but both have past associations that could look bad. But they're not worried, even though one character notes, "This isn't about patriotism; it's about power and publicity." Eventually both of them will be drawn into the committee's work.

Writer/director Irwin Winkler lets the story unfold realistically. Many of the supporting characters are based on historical figures, and large, openly dramatic moments are rare. Instead, the plot is built on thin layers of fear and suspicion that acquire weight slowly. Merrill is a good man facing an internal struggle. In the course of his career and failed marriage (to Annette Bening), he has made compromises, and the studio he works for has offered an easy answer. But Merrill is reluctant to involve anyone else.

At its worst, "Guilty By Suspicion" is too slow and thoughtful for audiences accustomed to fast-moving action. Perhaps first-time director Winkler, despite his solid track record as a producer, was unsure at times. But the story is still compelling and De Niro gives a first-rate performance. At its best, the film has the quality of a good Irwin Shaw novel with sympathetic, well-drawn characters caught in a complex political struggle.

Even if "Guilty By Suspicion" isn't completely successful, it's a serious attempt to tell an important story and that alone is worth a strong recommendation. `Guilty By Suspicion' A Warner Bros. release playing at the Tamglewood Theaters (989-6165). Rated PG-13 for strong language. 105 min.