Watch The Morning After

The Morning After is a mystery-thriller movie released in 1986, directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Jane Fonda, Jeff Bridges, and Raul Julia. The plot revolves around a washed-up alcoholic actress, Alex Sternbergen (played by Fonda), who wakes up next to a murdered man in her bed. The unfortunate victim is a sleazy photographer who has been hired by Alex's ex-husband to spy on her. Alex has no memory of the events of the previous night, but the circumstantial evidence is stacked against her, and the LAPD is quick to suspect her of murder.

Jeff Bridges plays Turner Kendall, a widowed former football star who is summoned to represent Alex in court. Kendall is initially reluctant to take on the case, but he is drawn to Alex's vulnerability and eventually becomes convinced of her innocence. Raul Julia plays Joaquin Manero, a smooth-talking nightclub owner who may know more about the murder than he is letting on.

The Morning After is a taut, suspenseful film that keeps the audience on edge throughout. The opening scenes are particularly gripping, with Alex waking up to the sight of the dead body next to her and scrambling to cover her tracks. Fonda does a great job of conveying Alex's fear and confusion, and the film's grainy, noir-ish cinematography adds to the sense of unease.

As the film progresses, Alex and Kendall team up to try and solve the mystery of who really killed the photographer. They visit a string of seedy nightclubs and dive bars, interviewing a cast of unsavory characters who may have had a motive to commit the crime. Bridges is excellent as the tough-yet-sensitive lawyer, and the chemistry between him and Fonda is palpable.

The film's climax takes place in a tense courtroom scene, where Kendall mounts a passionate defense of Alex's innocence. Lumet's direction in this scene is particularly effective, with the camera cutting between close-ups of the various characters' faces and shots of the jury deliberating. The revelation of the true killer is a satisfying payoff to the film's many twists and turns.

Overall, The Morning After is a well-crafted thriller that showcases the acting talents of its talented cast. Lumet's direction is solid throughout, and the film's gritty, atmospheric visuals help to set the mood. This is a movie that keeps you guessing until the very end, and it's definitely worth checking out if you're a fan of the genre.

The Morning After is a 1986 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 43 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9.