Return to Sender (2004)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

Bille August

Writers:

Neal Purvis (written by)
Robert Wade (written by)

Release Date:

28 April 2005 (Russia)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

How can you save someone, who won't save herself?

Plot:

While fighting for a woman who sits on death row, a lawyer happens upon new information which brings into question the motives of a man associated with her client.

Plot Keywords:

Death Row | Attorney | Capital Punishment | Free From Execution | Video Surveillance

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Connie Nielsen	...	Charlotte Cory
Aidan Quinn	...	Frank Nitzche
Kelly Preston	...	Susan Kennan
Tim Daly	...	Martin North
Mark Ryan	...	Mark Schlesser
Mark Holton	...	Joe Charbonic
Sara-Marie Maltha	...	Stella / Julie
Bill Thomas	...	Gubby
Randy Colton	...	Joe Hammond
Robin Brooks Sullivan	...	Mary Hammond (as Robin Brooks-Sullivan)
Madison Mueller	...	Kirstie
Eric Starkey	...	Hammond's Brother
Montana Sullivan	...	Hammond's Son
Brian Shoop	...	District Attorney
Michael Phillip Simpson	...	Johnny Decker (as Michael P. Simpson)

Also Known As:

Convicted (USA) (video title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language, some sexuality and violent images.

Runtime:

109 min | Germany:100 min (TV version)

Country:

Denmark | USA | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

USA:R | UK:15 | Argentina:13 | Portugal:M/16 | Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Copenhagen, Denmark

Company:

Audley Films LLP

Goofs:

Continuity: The right brake light in Frank's Mustang alternates between working and not working throughout the film.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in About 'Return to Sender' (2006) (V)

Soundtrack:

Guitar Rag

Powerful acting, powerful emotion

Charlotte Cory (Connie Nielsen) is on death row for the kidnapping and murder of a child - but did she do it? Aidan Quinn plays an ex-defense lawyer who makes money selling the last letters of condemned prisoners to the highest bidder (apparently, such letters fetch tens of thousands of dollars). Because Cory's case is so rare, he sees the chance to make half a million dollars on her last letter. He pretends to be a friend of her father's in order to get close to her, but he ends up becoming emotionally engaged in her situation, and falling in love with her.

Return To Sender is a low-key character drama, extremely well-acted, realistic, touching and just generally well-rounded. I was absorbed by it throughout, and can't think of a single thing wrong with it. It keeps the suspense going right until the satisfying end. A great achievement by everyone involved.