Brigham City (2001) User Reviews

Thoughts on Brigham City from a non-Mormon (no spoilers)

[Justin-62 · 7/10 · 13 April 2001]

First and foremost, Brigham City is a murder mystery. But it's also a story about how a murder can make victims of everyone who lives in a small town that is supposed to be safe.

While Brigham City is set in a predominantly Mormon town in Utah, but it could just have easily been any small town in America and the people could have been of any faith (or none at all). The people of the town feel safe and secure. No one locks they're doors. Everyone knows everyone else. Then their sense of security is shattered by a spree of vicious murders. Suddenly everyone is on his guard and quick to distrust those they have trusted for years.

The plot of Brigham City really has the feel of a traditional Hollywood thriller, the addition of Mormon culture give the film a higher level of depth. While the film is about Mormons and provides some brief glimpses into their beliefs and customs, it does not attempt to convert audience members to the LDS church.

In his second film, Richard Dutcher does an admirable job of bringing this story to the big screen. The film feels more professional and polished than his previous entry (God's Army), but at the same time doesn't feel like the typical Hollywood fare.

What works in this movie is Dutcher's attention to detail and the depth of the characters. I was pleased to see how the violence in the movie was implied rather than shown directly. I was also impressed by the casting of Wilford Brimley. There may have been a commercial reason for him being attached to the film, but his presence gave the film a feeling of familiarity.

Dutcher also makes great use of camera angles and music to cast each person as a suspect. This is also the film's low point, as it is used so much it begins to bog down the story. Non-Mormons may feel that certain points of the movie are a bit too preachy.

All in all, Brigham City is a decent movie. I don't recommend it for younger children, as some of the implied violence may be disturbing, but most people over 13 will probably be drawn into the story the same way you would a traditional Hollywood thriller.

You might ask why I (a non-Mormon) interested in seeing Brigham City. Since I manage the movie theater where the film is playing I wanted to be able to give an informed opinion about the movie. As a movie fan, I was interested to see how Brigham City stood up to other Hollywood and independent films. As a person, I was interested for the glimpse of Mormon culture the film provided.

The Bishop and the Sheriff

[lavatch · 8/10 · 4 December 2019]

In an early scene in "Brigham City," a parishioner in the small town of Brigham shows up at the sheriff's office to ask for counseling on spiritual matters. She talks with the sheriff who also serves as the bishop of the Mormon church. He feels conflicted about discussing church matters on police time, yet goes ahead anyway and counsels the woman. The film is about the dual identities of Wes Clayton that define the character's strengths as well as his weaknesses.

Wes walks with a limp, the result of a horrendous auto accident that took the lives of his wife and son, leaving him in a coma. He has since recovered and wears two hats as chief law enforcement officer and spiritual advisor to the community. When a body is dumped in the city, the atrocity sets in motion the work of a serial killer, which sends the town into a panic. Wes must now walk the tightrope in his two identities.

This film project was due to the vision of Richard Dutcher, who wrote the screenplay, directed the film, and performed the leading role of Wes Clayton. Dutcher had a clear concept that transcended a straightforward murder mystery. Instead, the film offers underlying layers of meaning about the values of a faith-based community and the leader who wants to maintain a sense of "paradise" in Brigham. It would be a mistake to think of this film as a Mormon movie; it is much more than that.

Clearly, Wes sees himself in a leadership role and genuinely wants to protect the members of his community from harm. But he is personally flawed and narrow in his view of the world. In the past, he made an unconscionable error in the hiring of an employee without a background check. He placed his trust in his instincts and in what he perceived were the shared values of his fellow human beings. By the end, he recognizes his human failing, and it is a moving testament to the community that stands behind him in compassion and solidarity.

Killings In A Quiet Mormon Town

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 1 March 2012]

For a gentile like myself, Brigham City is both a good murder mystery about a serial killer and a nice insight into a community where the Mormon culture predominates. The film is the creation of Richard Dutcher who wrote, directed, and starred in it.

Dutcher wears two hats in this film and something you're not likely to see in a gentile setting. He's both the bishop and spiritual leader of the town and the sheriff. Being that must be a unique experience, in most small town the function of the local cops is mainly breaking up bar fights and writing speeding tickets. As one of the tenets of the LDS church is non-imbibing of liquor that is something he might not have to deal with. Still Dutcher and his deputy Matthew Brown do have an influx of other kinds of people in the town engaged in the construction trade. The place is booming.

And so when a serial killer strikes the folks in Brigham City find it inconceivable that the perpetrator could be one of them. Eventually they have to explore the possibility.

When a young girl goes missing, Dutcher deputizes a bunch of people and they do a house to house search which in another setting somebody might complain about a little thing like the Constitution. He does uncover a wrongdoer, but not in the same vein of what he was looking for.

I did like the scenes very much of the everyday life in a Mormon community it gives some great insights. For instance Brown talks about saving money for various things including the mission trip his infant son will eventually make. Not something you would hear in another film.

Dutcher is an imaginative film maker and he's turned out a good one here that can be appreciated outside the state of Utah.

A Great Mystery.......

[anolis · 8 April 2001]

The worst thing about going to a mystery movie, is to have the perpetrator revealed too quickly. Brigham City is able to keep its secrets well enough that while you are convinced you know who the guilty party is, you don't find out until the last few moments of the film.

The other engaging aspect of the movie is that it also wisely utilizes both the setting (a small Utah town) and the cultural and religious traditions of the mormon church. Mormons are a group that are often denigrated and little understood by most of American Society. Dutcher is able to successfully integrate Mormon traditions of worship and belief into the plot. While some may find this to be too blatant at times, I think he is able to successfully balance his desire to use this as a backdrop for his murder mystery.

As someone who lived in Utah for about two years, I thought Dutcher was very able to capture many aspects of contemporary Rural Utah/Mormon Culture that are quite unique....so if you would like to understand a little more about mormonism, without inviting the Mormon Missionaries into your home, I think this is a great way to do it, while being entertained at the same time, by a great WHODUNIT plot.

Well done

[fmwongmd · 7/10 · 14 August 2020]

An exceptionally well done portrayal of depravity in a Mormon context. Richard Dutcher does en excellent job of acting and directing.

Excellent for what it is.

[=G= · 7/10 · 29 July 2002]

Sleepy little Utah town and Mormon enclave Brigham City questions its faith as it loses its innocence to a serial killer. An excellent mutlilayered one-man-band indie, "Brigham City" works well as a whodunit, even better as a human drama, and still better as a provocative examination of issues of faith in the presence of evil. A tad obvious, somewhat sanitized, and not without its plotholes, "BC" should be an entertaining and worthwhile watch for most mature adults into serious-minded drama irrespective of faith. (B)

Beautiful movie!

[eileenmchenry · 10/10 · 5 September 2004]

Brigham's sheriff -- a terribly sad, but extremely decent man -- is forced to admit that there is a serial killer in his small, friendly, pretty little town. He sets about looking for the killer from what appears to be a hopelessly blinkered perspective, refusing to believe that anyone but an "outsider" could be responsible. He gradually finds his way to the answer, and it hurts to watch. I could happily see a film by this director every day of the week. This was absolutely brilliantly done -- such a nice change from all the crash and bash of more typical overacted, overplotted, punctuated-by-explosions movies. Dutcher gives the lie to the idea that movie characters (especially the police) need to be wisecracking, high-octane, postmodern cardboard cutouts in order to solve a crime. It's a rare example, too, of a film filled with deeply religious people who are not simply a bunch of flakes.

Good story, a little too predictable

[stephmil_22 · 6/10 · 29 September 2012]

Brigham City is a "Garden of Eden" story based in Brigham City, Utah. Brigham City is a little piece of Mormon paradise interrupted by the presence of an evil serpent. Never before has the city experienced a murder. This movie portrays a definite contrast between the "real world" and the naive town. This contrast goes hand in hand with Mormon communities. Mormon communities are well known and criticized for their isolation from mainstream society. The discussion between the sheriff and deputy about real world news and the fact that the secretary at the sheriff's office had not recognized the signal for a dead body highlights the isolation of the town.

The main character, Wes, holds a pivotal role in this film, as he represents the entire religious community. Serving as bishop and sheriff shows the difficulties of the Mormon community to hold dual roles. His refusal to listen to the news serves as an example of the isolation of the Mormon religion. Wes' naiveté represents innocence, but as the pieces of Terry's gun are methodically put together, so are the pieces of the investigation. Wes gains the knowledge he has been searching for when the gun is whole. Then Wes makes a decision that forces him to lose his innocence forever.

The dual roles of the sheriff also help increase the tension of the film. The tension is first apparent when a woman comes into the sheriff's office for a religious confession. The tension between these roles climaxes during the investigation of Steve's house. Wes, performing his duty of sheriff, had little patience for Steve trying to ask for forgiveness for hoarding a pornography stash.

One should watch out for the color red in this film as it plays a sinister role in the movie. The car of the first murder victim was red. The blood on the wheel was bright red. Most of the victims have red hair. The fingerprints of the murderer are taken from a red (admittedly almost maroon) cup. The murderer, himself, admits that his only blonde victim had hair that looked red when he finished with her. This color seems to connect the murders and symbolize evil.

The most telling scene of this movie was the shooting practice scene. In this scene, Terry and Wes have a discussion about the killer. Terry wonders whether the killer could feel remorse for his actions and whether the killer could be forgiven and sent to heaven. Then we see Wes miss most of his shots while Terry hits all of his targets. Terry's concern for the well-being of the soul of the murderer hints and excellent shooting skills are a strong indication that Terry is the killer. Wes' story lack of marksmanship shows his innocence while his story about his first hunting experience shows how easily innocence can be lost.

Clearly, the foreshadowing of this film may be been a bit obvious. Stu's death seems imminent from the very beginning because he says that one day his companions will miss him when he is gone. An ominous moment occurs when "All is well" is spoken at the gazebo. It should not go unnoticed that the next murder victim was found shortly after under the very same gazebo. And who could miss the signs that pointed to the murderer in the shooting practice scene? But if one dials the foreshadowing down some, imagine the suspense one could create.

All-in-all, Brigham City may not be at the top of one's list of movies to see if one is looking for suspense. At times, the movie becomes a little too concerned with the religious message and the feeling of tension is lost. The plot is a little tired and the foreshadowing allows one to identify the last victim and the killer well before the movie comes to an end. But if one is looking for a film that captures the very essence and struggle of the Mormon community, this film is one to see.

Wow!

[dafalias · 10/10 · 27 December 2005]

When I read that the director casted himself in the lead, I thought, "well, boy, it seems the only way for you to get a role". I couldn't be more mistaken.

Script: Richard Dutcher - brilliant

Directing: Richard Dutcher - brilliant

Lead: Richard Dutcher - brilliant

Although the atmosphere of the movie is somewhat depressing, something I am usually not looking for, I was nothing but impressed.

Brigham City is a character driven thriller with nice twists and takes a very close look at religiously fundamentalist small town life in the U.S. Bottom line is, no matter how much you try to shield your whole-world-community from the hazards of the "outside world", you can't. The script has some nice twists and stays suspenseful until the murderer is finally discovered, but the real plot revolves around the sheriff and his world being turned upside down.

Unfortunately we have experienced something terrible and unexpected in our community, too, and it takes in fact some time until you are able to admit the truth - you just think you are in the wrong movie.

Dutcher takes you on an emotional ride with the sheriff to exactly that point.

Was this "made for TV"??? Ok, but not great...

[jstoddard97 · 7/10 · 29 June 2002]

I didn't mind this movie too much... the only problem was that I was half asleep until there were about 20 minutes left, and things FINALLY started to get interesting. The acting is very well done, but I felt very un-informed throughout much of the movie. The characters have NO background, and there seem to be way too many loopholes in the plot. I think it could have been much more suspenseful if the director had tried a little harder. It almost felt as if I was watching "Murder, She wrote" (I'm a huge fan of that show, though.) I'm giving this one a 6/10, for just being, well, kinda boring... ;-)

Reasonably entertaining, but basically a made for TV type production

[goods116 · 5/10 · 4 December 2019]

I was attracted to the movie based on the high ratings. The beginning was interesting enough, but then the pacing slowed down and the storyline wasn't much more than a TV police show type crime mystery. Overall the production quality and acting are what you'd expect from a TV movie. Not really worth it unless you are specifically interested in the Brigham / Mormon angle (which is frankly not much explored anyway).

Truly amazing thriller... powerful, absorbing and... Mormon?

[hokeybutt · 9/10 · 19 June 2004]

You know, when most people hear about this movie and they find out that writer/producer/director/star Richard Dutcher is a Mormon... and that the movie has a definite Mormon agenda... they are going to be rolling their eyes and thinking, "That can't be any GOOD!" (Heck, that was my own reaction initially.) This movie is about a small Mormon town who's quiet tranquility is rocked with the seeming arrival of a serial killer in their midst. I don't even want to say anything more about the plot lest I give something away. Suffice to say that the movie is one of the best-written AND directed AND acted (with the exception of co-star Wilford Brimley, I don't think anyone is a "professional" actor) police thrillers I have seen in recent years! And no, I'm not a Mormon! Richard Dutcher has really done something unexpected here... by infusing a traditional thriller with an examination of faith... and emotion... and humanity... the movie works on all levels... topped off by a searing ending. I was really blown away by this movie (though I still have no intentions of joining the Mormon Church.)

Not what I was expecting.

[davholsea-99002 · 7/10 · 2 December 2019]

This film is low budget and for a while made me think it was just a Mormon advert. It is - but if you find yourself thinking that while you're watching, I'd advise sticking with it. There are flaws around the plot development and acting, but it's a movie that resolves well while leaving you pondering a few questions about things beyond the storyline.

Brigham City

[henry8-3 · 5/10 · 22 September 2019]

Dutches stars in, writes and directs this LDS movie about a perfect Mormon town shattered by the presence of s serial killer.

Whilst this does occasionally get a little preachey the religion aspects are generally kept well in check such that there is an audience for this outside the mid west. In fact the key element here is the added difficulty faced by a community largely cut off from the big bad world and the dilemmas this brings. In the unlikely role of sheriff and bishop, Dutcher is fine and this does actually show some craftsmanship as an enjoyable thriller.

Always nice to see Wilford Brimley who shines in the supporting cast.

Only real bum note is the really lame role of the FBI agent which doesn't really stack up as anywhere near believable.

Good effort though.

A review of the movie, not the religion

[theholmboy · 9 August 2002]

I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I watched it knowing it wasn't going to be a light-hearted film, which was an advantage over many people I know who went to it thinking it was a happy ending sort of show. I must admit it was a little odd to see the goings-on of LDS church meetings and other LDS cultural aspects on the big screen, but it is territory that needs to be covered so that future movies that cover similar territory won't be weighed down with reviews about the LDS church rather than focusing on the movie at hand. I watched the DVD a second time with Richard Dutcher's audio commentary and, after that, I concluded that he is someone who is conscientious about finding the balance in film in regards to the religious issues dealt with, not too pro or too anti. I was quite amazed as to how resourceful he was, considering their meager budget he had to work with. The outcome was superb and he told the story in a simple, yet elegant way. I look forward to Mr. Dutcher's next film.

Disappointed by the end of the film

[Chrispearce2 · 6/10 · 3 October 2019]

Slow burner that in the end fizzeled out. I wanted to like it more and the premise was good but the final killer reveal left me somewhat disappointed. For a good twist you need clues you didn't spot. This just goes "here's the killer".

Not a bad film in spite of.....

[tpendleton · 7/10 · 24 January 2004]

This is not a bad film in spite of having to endure the LDS propaganda. I suppose that having the film set in Utah among the Mormons does add something that makes it a unique mystery. What really bothered me about the film, though, was the sheriff's actions in having all the houses in Brigham searched. What was he thinking? It doesn't matter what his motives were. This was a blatant violation of the Bill of Rights (Fourth Amendment), the basis of our freedom. Poor Steve. Not only can illegal searches result in humiliation, but they can also be used to suppress opposition to those in authority. Surely, that doesn't happen in small communities in Utah.

Creating a genre

[sean lucero · 10/10 · 9 April 2001]

Dutcher has done it again.

I went in to the theater hopeful, but a little skeptical. As the movie progressed I found myself criticizing the details--there were a few rough lines; the music was heavy-handed in a few places; some of the scenes moved too slowly.

But the whodunnit element worked for me, and from the audible gasps of others in the theater, I would say it worked for almost everyone there.

But it is the final scene (after the murder mystery has been solved) that made the film worth seeing. Almost never have tears fallen down my cheeks while watching a movie. This one did that for me.

Surprisingly Good

[dogsdesert · 7/10 · 6 September 2021]

Ok, the acting is not world-class, but is decent. The story is surprisingly good. A little slow in the beginning, suggest you give it a chance of you enjoy movies with a message.

Innocence interrupted...

[Thornfield2 · 10/10 · 21 June 2001]

In the theater my best friend and I made up half the audience. This is a misfortune indeed, because I relished this film. We have two main characters, Wes, a small town sheriff who believes his little community is a sanctuary from the outside world and Meredith, who being raised in Manhattan, finds the far out, little Mormon community kinda creepy. Together they face the unspeakable acts of a cold-blooded killer. This film literally gave me the chills and the filmography was very Hitchcock-like giving the audiences plenty of suspense, without grossing them out, as other films maybe would have gone overboard on. What makes the film even more eerie is that it never shows the girls being followed or stalked before they are killed. They are just found. Another remarkable performance to be noted was that of Matthew A. Brown. His many-layered character was a thrill to watch. I hope him more in the future. Wilford Brimley gave a wonderful perfromance too. This movie is definate four star rating in my book!

Good storyline but...

[debb-34918 · 5/10 · 1 September 2020]

Good storyline but the actors left a lot to be desired. Brimley and the deputy were probably the best actors in the film.

A great story about Murder in Mormonville USA

[conradius · 9/10 · 11 July 2001]

I thought it was a great murder story that really involves the audience. It was also a great insight into Utah Mormon culture. It wasn't a propaganda type movie saying that the Mormon way of life is the best, nor was it showing too many of its faults.

The best thing I liked about it was that it was very well written. It involved the audience and really captivated your attention. In addition to the drama and suspense, it also went deeper to examine a few aspects of Mormon culture and humanity in general. That makes it a great movie!!!

My wife and I saw it at an 11:00 showing and we were freaked out when we left the theater. We were wondering if there were serial killers in our little town!!!

Awful, awful movie.

[jhagen-31918 · 1/10 · 18 February 2020]

We just kept watching it to see how bad it could get, and we weren't disappointed. It did get worse, the exposure of the murderer was so ridiculously stupid it defies description, and I don't want to spoil the movie for the next unsuspecting viewer. Also, Mormon morality does not override constitutional law. Weak and idiotic all the way through. I apologize to those of you viewers that rated a 9-10. I just didn't see what you saw.

Good LDS movie

[Pedrinho · 7 August 2001]

I live in Mapleton, UT where it was filmed, and am LDS. I enjoyed the movie. If you don't understand the Church's dogma then the end of the movie may not mean that much to you.

I enjoyed the suspense and liked the acting. You can say what you want about the religon and the politics but it's not much different then other places in the world. If you saw the movie Chocolat, you can see the same thing there.

Don't look now you may be the killer!!

[MrBallroom · 10/10 · 23 August 2005]

Richard Dutcher's follow-up to his spectacularly successful indie film GOD'S ARMY was this little gem called BRIGHAM CITY. Dutcher plays small-town sheriff Wes, who finds his little corner of paradise deep in not only a murder mystery, but also in the grip of a serial killer. All of a sudden, this quiet sleepy town is thrust into the national spotlight and bodies start showing up all over the place.

Wes is not only the sheriff; he is also the bishop of one of the local wards (congregations) in town, so he is placed in a dual role as both physical protector from a law enforcement standpoint and spiritual leader as well. His young deputy Terry (played by Matthew Brown) helps him out as does an FBI Special Agent (played by Tayva Patch) who flies in from New York to help out on the case.

As panic builds within the town and as they try to find who is doing all the killing, everyone is considered suspect. A town that has long lived on faith and trust begins to look at itself and each other in a new light now that the world has invaded on their corner of paradise and left their indelible mark on what for many of them had once been hallowed ground. It's certain that many of them will never look at life the same again.

Dutcher does an exceptional job of doing something nobody has dared do before, and that is exploring the dark side of the Mormon psyche, and doing so in a manner that does not denigrate either the Church, its members or the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and for that, he has my everlasting respect. All of us have our dark sides; if sufficiently provoked, even the most mild-mannered of society's members – in or out of the Church – can be provoked or driven to do things that are beyond the pale such as serial killings and the like.

BRIGHAM CITY will leave you guessing all the way to the final scene before you realize who the killer is, and the end will leave you satisfied that you have indeed watched a true cinematic masterpiece. Of all the films I have seen that were directed to a primarily LDS-oriented audience, this one disturbed them the most, which tells me this one is BY FAR the best, as most of the Utah-types are still mind warped in the "Happy Valley" mode, and for them, they are better off staying in their own little world. It disturbed them because it hit home, and they did not like that – not in the least – and the fact that it did, had me cheering all the louder for Dutcher.

Dutcher's film reminds us to use common sense in conjunction with our faith. I can think of at least THREE preventable tragedies in the last several years out in Utah that could have easily been avoided had more of the "Happy Valley" mindsets used a little street sense hand-in-hand with their faith. Come to think of it, we could all use more of both in our lives.

On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this film a 12/10. ***