playwright sidney bruhl ( michael caine ) have have a series of flop play after a huge hit . he receive a play write by a student of his and clifford anderson ( christopher reeve ) which be fantastic . it so good sidney say he would kill for it . will he . a think man thriller . it be originally a play . and it show . it mostly on one set and all talk but i be never bore . it very well write with plenty of twist and a good cast work full force . caine be just great a bruhl another one of his great performance . reeve be and surprisingly and very good . i never think much of him a an actor and but he really good in this role . dyan cannon do wonder with an underwritten role a bruhls wife . irene worth be also good ( and quite funny ) a helga ten drop and a psychic . however and her accent do get on my nerve . director sidney lumet do very well with his one set . the camera be always move and keep your attention go . extreme spoiler dead ahead . my only complaint be that two gay character in this movie turn out to be rag sociopath and it also contain one of the most unromantic kiss i have ever see but these be mild complaint . a very good thriller . critic hate this movie ( for some reason ) and it seem to have completely disappear since it premier in 1982. that too bad it deserve well .