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Mortal Thoughts

Play trailer Poster for Mortal Thoughts R Released Apr 19, 1991 1h 44m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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56% Tomatometer 16 Reviews 36% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
A loathsome man ends up dead, but it's not clear who's to blame. If ever a person got what he deserved, it's James Urbanksi (Bruce Willis), an abusive drunk who steals from his wife, Joyce (Glenne Headly), and promises her close friend Cynthia Kellogg (Demi Moore) that she'll be the next target of his rage. At a group outing, James bleeds to death after someone cuts his throat. But because he's such a terrible human being, police aren't sure which of his acquaintances decided to kill him.
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Mortal Thoughts

Critics Reviews

View All (16) Critics Reviews
Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader Isham’s score makes the possibility of loving these characters or feeling morally committed to them not only impractical but unthinkable. Rated: 2/4 May 24, 2022 Full Review Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly Rated: C- Sep 7, 2011 Full Review Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times There is another level to Mortal Thoughts than either the guilt or innocence of the characters, or the wit with which Rudolph portrays their world. It is the level on which ordinary people cut themselves loose from ordinary morality. Rated: 3/4 Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) With a sanguine base, the film seems to incongruously flirt with comedy, yet both aspects irreconcilably bifurcate. [Full review in Spanish] Jul 31, 2023 Full Review Chuck O'Leary Fantastica Daily Rated: 3/5 Sep 27, 2005 Full Review Caffeinated Clint Moviehole Bruce Willis is rather terrifying.....a man of many faces indeed Rated: 3/5 Jul 4, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (105) audience reviews
Audience Member Mortal thoughts can be good or straight up murderous. Demi Moore co-produces and stars next to Bruce Willis, Harvey Keitel, and Glenn Headly. Cynthia Kellogg is best friends with Joyce who a while back got married to James Urbanski. Unfortunately James has an enormous temper, gets drunk regularly, and often takes his rage out on others. His wife had had enough. John then ends up dead but is it justified? Cynthia is currently being investigated by the authorities about what led up to the alleged murder. Detective John Woods heads the interrogation. The pieces of the story slowly come together and it unlocks some disturbing revelations as both of these women's lives are falling apart. The misdirection was actually handled pretty well. Moore and Headly make a great pair of friends. The film asks fundamental questions of whether murder is actually justified given how monstrous the victim is. Even our morality can be sustained for so long we abandon it. Either the guilt or innocence eventually sets in. A smaller budget of a thriller with some decent actors to boot and some smart plotting to keep the suspense adrift. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 04/20/24 Full Review Steve D Really unpleasant but the end is strong. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 09/11/23 Full Review Andre G Old school movie a lot of people probably never saw. It's your typical husband beating his wife. All their friends and family know about it and do nothing. There is a twist. It's worth a watch. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 07/19/23 Full Review Audience Member Overall, this is a fun thriller that begins with a vague and small storyline that grows into something far greater than I expected.  It's filled with exciting mysteries that keep viewers engaged and continually guessing the big reveals.  Performances are great, with Demi Moore being mysterious and believable and Bruce Willis playing a harsh character.  With a good musical score and dark tones, this is a rewarding thriller that mixes themes of violence, friendship and trust.  The climax ends on a high note which also feels extremely rewarding, making this film quite entertaining all around. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/11/23 Full Review Audience Member Mortal thoughts can be good or straight up murderous. Demi Moore co-produces and stars next to Bruce Willis, Harvey Keitel, and Glenn Headly. Cynthia Kellogg is best friends with Joyce who a while back got married to James Urbanski. Unfortunately James has an enormous temper, gets drunk regularly, and often takes his rage out on others. His wife had had enough. John then ends up dead but is it justified? Cynthia is currently being investigated by the authorities about what led up to the alleged murder. Detective John Woods heads the interrogation. The pieces of the story slowly come together and it unlocks some disturbing revelations as both of these women's lives are falling apart. The misdirection was actually handled pretty well. Moore and Headly make a great pair of friends. The film asks fundamental questions of whether murder is actually justified given how monstrous the victim is. Even our morality can be sustained for so long we abandon it. Either the guilt or innocence eventually sets in. A smaller budget of a thriller with some decent actors to boot and some smart plotting to keep the suspense adrift. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Audience Member You can't go wrong with Willis, Moore, Headley and Keitel. Only complaint is that Bruce wasn't in it for long. Great actors. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/24/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Mortal Thoughts

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis A loathsome man ends up dead, but it's not clear who's to blame. If ever a person got what he deserved, it's James Urbanksi (Bruce Willis), an abusive drunk who steals from his wife, Joyce (Glenne Headly), and promises her close friend Cynthia Kellogg (Demi Moore) that she'll be the next target of his rage. At a group outing, James bleeds to death after someone cuts his throat. But because he's such a terrible human being, police aren't sure which of his acquaintances decided to kill him.
Director
Alan Rudolph
Producer
John Fiedler, Mark Tarlov
Screenwriter
William Reilly, Claude Kerven
Production Co
Columbia Pictures Corporation, Polar Entertainment Corporation, New Visions Pictures
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 19, 1991, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA)
$17.8M
Runtime
1h 44m
Sound Mix
Surround
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