Death in the Soul appeals to those seeking for light entertainment, something soft and easy to grasp but that still keeps it serious and mysterious. In a whydunit style, this movie is quite alright considering it is made-for-TV.
The story follows the ambitious attorney Tristran Delmas that takes on the case of Marc Lanier, the confessed murdered of his son. Seems straightforward, but Tristan is far from amused: he wants a reason-someone that seemingly loved his child so much would not just flip out of the blue and kill him.
So it is really a whodunit too, if you think about it. We are quite not convinced Marc is really the murdered, and the movie wants us to doubt everything like Tristan. The story is about locked skeletons in the closet, a closet that is set in a small suburban town where everyone knows everyone, and quickly things become public and public opinions stain objectivity.
But the story is also a bit stale. Death in the Soul is about getting info bit by bit, making your assumptions, until you get to the finale, final revelation, ending, and closure. The stakes are high due to moral ambiguity and love, no one is really in danger of death or aggravated violence, nor Death in the Soul wants us to expect any high-thrill action. This is a slow-paced thriller, and as such it tries to remain-with success.
The ending, though, was a bit unapologetic, a fast conclusion to a complicated dillema. I would expect a bit more closure, but we get the truth nature of an attorney's decision and moral grounds. Yet another case, more to come so it seems.
Overall, an alright Sunday-night thriller to watch and let go.
