Watch Jane Doe: Now You See It, Now You Don't

Jane Doe: Now You See It, Now You Don't is a mystery-thriller movie directed by Armand Mastroianni and released in 2005. The film stars Lea Thompson, Joe Penny, and William R. Moses. It is the first film in the Jane Doe movie franchise. The plot revolves around Cathy Davis (Lea Thompson), a suburban mother, and wife who leads a double life as Jane Doe, an amateur detective who frequently solves difficult cases using her intellect and sharp observations. When a rare book dealer named Jack Hemphill (David Purcell) gets murdered and his extremely rare copy of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven" goes missing, Cathy becomes involved in the case.

As she investigates the murder, she meets Jack's business partner Bernard Katz (Joe Penny), who has a suspicious alibi. Along the way, she also reconnects with her old flame Jack (William R. Moses), a lawyer who helps her put the pieces of the puzzle together. Cathy soon realizes that there is more to the case than just a missing book and a murder.

The movie is filled with twists and turns as Cathy uses her intelligence and intuition to unravel the mystery. She follows her instincts, piecing together clues in a race against time to identify Hemphill's killer and find the missing copy of Poe's book.

Lea Thompson delivers a strong performance as the lead character - Cathy Davis. She brings a perfect blend of charm and intelligence to the role, making Jane Doe an engaging character to watch. Joe Penny, who plays the role of Bernard Katz, is equally impressive as the prime suspect who is hiding something from Jane. There is a comfortable chemistry between Thompson and Moses, who plays Jack, her old flame, and trusted ally in the investigation.

The movie's pacing is spot on, keeping the audience engaged till the very end. The director has done an excellent job of balancing the detective work with the story's interpersonal dynamics, resulting in a well-rounded movie experience. He wraps up the film with a mind-boggling twist that will leave viewers in awe.

The movie is a perfect blend of mystery and action, with a dose of humor and romance sprinkled in for good measure. Fans of the genre will appreciate the script's evident love for classic detective tales, including the aforementioned Poe story, which serves as a crucial element in the plot.

The movie's tone is fresh and modern, establishing its own identity while paying homage to classic detective stories. The cinematography is well-executed, delivering some impressive shots of Los Angeles' back alleys and cityscapes.

Overall, Jane Doe: Now You See It, Now You Don't is an entertaining movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It is well-crafted, well-acted, and well-directed, making it a must-watch for fans of the genre. It is an excellent start to what would become a successful franchise.

Jane Doe: Now You See It, Now You Don't is a 2005 mystery with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0.