Conspiracy Theory MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +3 Content: -1 1/2

By day he drives a New York City cab; by night he writes a small newsletter called "Conspiracy Theory." Jerry Fletcher (Mel Gibson), a crackpot to most, believes "they" are in control, and we are the victims of their schemes -- everything from fluoride in the water to international monetary policy. But Jerry's little publication, with a grand total of five subscribers, has fallen into the wrong hands, and "they" are out to kill him. There's just one problem, Jerry doesn't know which conspiracy is the right one. So he enlists the help of Alice Sutton (Julia Roberts), a compassionate lawyer in the Justice Department. She becomes convinced that Jerry is telling the truth when his life is almost snuffed out before her very eyes. The two enter a cat-and-mouse game to save their own lives, and expose the manipulations of our federal government. Adult audiences will be intrigued by this action thriller as it successfully keeps them wondering who really is the bad guy.

The movie should be applauded for omitting the gratuitous sex and nudity often found in films of this genre. In fact, no sexually suggestive material or nudity turns up at all. The violence never crosses the line either. Although it becomes severe at times, it never appeals to prurient interests. An interrogation scene becomes especially severe as government agents interrogate Jerry by injecting him with truth serums, beating him, and almost drowning him. This negative portrayal of government officials is meant to question the integrity of secret federal agencies. In other scenes, people are punched, kicked, and pistol-whipped. Despite this lack of offensive action, discriminating viewers will still find the film objectionable because of its language. Thirteen crude words, three s-words, and four regular profanities make CONSPIRACY THEORY a bad choice for discerning viewers.

Preview Reviewer: Jason Shepherd
Distributor: Warner Bros., 4000 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91522