Overlooked (or Forgotten) Film Tuesday: SUSPECT (1987) starring Cher and Dennis Quaid

Today is Overlooked (or Forgotten) Film Tuesday, the weekly meme hosted by Todd Mason at his blog, SWEET FREEDOM. So don't forget to head on over there and check out the links.
I'd literally forgotten about today's film until very recently. I've been meaning to re-watch it but haven't had a chance. Hence, my post is based on memory with one or two proddings from IMdB.

Cher is one of the most engaging and charismatic film actors. It's hard to fathom how she does it, especially with her dazzling appearance - yet somehow she manages to disappear into her roles. Not only is she gorgeous, but the woman can act. Why she hasn't made more movies is anybody's guess.

The SUSPECT screenplay proposes the absurdity that a New York defense attorney (Cher) and a jury foreman (Dennis Quaid) could cahoot to solve the case they're both involved in (the case being tried in court) in which Cher's client, a deaf mute homeless man (Liam Neesom in one of his first roles), stands accused of a brutal murder.

As if no one would notice the lawyer and the jury foreman chatting mysteriously in the shadows. It is impossible (not to mention forbidden) for a defense attorney to have anything to do with a juror, let alone, the jury foreman, most especially DURING an on-going trial. It would mean immediate dismissal of said trial. (Not to mention a HUGE black mark against the attorney - a hearing for sure.)

But somehow, Cher and Dennis manage it.

Aside from that major implausibility, this film has some very sinister goings-on within the empty halls and underground passageways of a large court building: Shadows. Strange noises. Clicking heels. Echos. All sorts of sounds in the dark. Plus a very intriguing courtroom mystery.

A terrific thriller with a wham-bang of an ending.