"Alibi" tells of a British businessman who unwittingly kills his wife's lover, is serendipitously befriended by a young woman who provides his alibi, and becomes becomes embroiled in the cover-up, police investigation, discoveries of more sinister malfeasance, domestic issues, and more. Shot in the usual made-for-TV Brit no frills style with nonstop dialogue, this very civilized flick is sufficiently busy and twisty to hold interest for most of the 2.5 hour run. On the upside is a solid cast offering good performances. On the downside is mediocre production value and no subtitles or CC. Probably a worthwhile small screener for those into contemporary Brit dramas. (B-)
16 Reviews
Can Murder Be Funny?
kirbylee70-599-52617931 January 2018
Warning: Spoilers
The answer to the question "Can murder be funny?" is yes. Not in reality mind you but in film and novel form it's been used as a humorous element and will most likely be used as such again in the future. This week Acorn is releasing the 2003 British limited series ALIBI. And the answer to that question is very apparent.
Greg (Michael Kitchen) has decided to throw a surprise anniversary party for his wife Linda (Phyllis Logan). It's an expense he can't truly afford but his affection for his wife is such that he thinks she deserves it. The event is catered and one of the catering staff is Marcey (Sophie Okonedo). Pleased to see a happy couple her happiness is short lived when she notices one of the guests, Greg's partner Martin (Tom Knight) make an affectionate gesture towards Linda who responds in kind.
When all is said and done the catering staff heads home when Marcey realizes she left her purse. She heads back on her own only to find Greg dragging the dead body of Martin across the floor. At first threatening to call the police he tells her it was an accident. They were arguing, he punched him and when he fell he hit his head.
Something about Greg strikes a chord with Marcey and she believes him. She helps him by telling him how to get rid of the body and goes about cleaning the room where it happened. Greg somewhat botches his end when the car catches fire drawing attention to it soon after.
As Marcey returns to her daytime job at the local public assistance office, Greg panics and calls her. She meets him and tries to calm him down but all he can do is think something terrible is going to happen to him. To help him along Marcey agrees to work in his office just until things are settled.
As the police investigate we wonder if Linda was indeed having an affair with Martin or not. And did Greg accidentally kill him or was it planned out in advance? And what other things were going on behind the scenes that none of the three main characters were aware of? It all unfolds in this 3 part story that switches from thriller to murder mystery to comedy in equal parts along the way.
One of the nice things about the invention of DVD is that movies and shows from other countries are readily available and at prices that aren't outrageous. It gives viewers an opportunity to experience a vast number of movies, programs and series that we otherwise would have no access to. This is an excellent example of what I am talking about.
The acting here is wonderful with a standout performance from Kitchen as Greg, fluctuating from rapid paced anxiety to full on anger to flustered cuckold. Okonedo does an excellent job as well as the calm woman who agrees to help someone who is could likely a murderer avoid detection and incarceration. And Logan as the beleaguered wife who may or may not be having an affair does a tremendous job as well.
The odds of finding this in a rental kiosk or store are highly unlikely but for fans of British television, mysteries with a tinge of humor and something different than the standard DVD fare will want to seek this one out. While at first I wondered what would happen next by the third episode I found myself laughing aloud at the antics on screen. For entertainment value this is one worth seeking out.
Greg (Michael Kitchen) has decided to throw a surprise anniversary party for his wife Linda (Phyllis Logan). It's an expense he can't truly afford but his affection for his wife is such that he thinks she deserves it. The event is catered and one of the catering staff is Marcey (Sophie Okonedo). Pleased to see a happy couple her happiness is short lived when she notices one of the guests, Greg's partner Martin (Tom Knight) make an affectionate gesture towards Linda who responds in kind.
When all is said and done the catering staff heads home when Marcey realizes she left her purse. She heads back on her own only to find Greg dragging the dead body of Martin across the floor. At first threatening to call the police he tells her it was an accident. They were arguing, he punched him and when he fell he hit his head.
Something about Greg strikes a chord with Marcey and she believes him. She helps him by telling him how to get rid of the body and goes about cleaning the room where it happened. Greg somewhat botches his end when the car catches fire drawing attention to it soon after.
As Marcey returns to her daytime job at the local public assistance office, Greg panics and calls her. She meets him and tries to calm him down but all he can do is think something terrible is going to happen to him. To help him along Marcey agrees to work in his office just until things are settled.
As the police investigate we wonder if Linda was indeed having an affair with Martin or not. And did Greg accidentally kill him or was it planned out in advance? And what other things were going on behind the scenes that none of the three main characters were aware of? It all unfolds in this 3 part story that switches from thriller to murder mystery to comedy in equal parts along the way.
One of the nice things about the invention of DVD is that movies and shows from other countries are readily available and at prices that aren't outrageous. It gives viewers an opportunity to experience a vast number of movies, programs and series that we otherwise would have no access to. This is an excellent example of what I am talking about.
The acting here is wonderful with a standout performance from Kitchen as Greg, fluctuating from rapid paced anxiety to full on anger to flustered cuckold. Okonedo does an excellent job as well as the calm woman who agrees to help someone who is could likely a murderer avoid detection and incarceration. And Logan as the beleaguered wife who may or may not be having an affair does a tremendous job as well.
The odds of finding this in a rental kiosk or store are highly unlikely but for fans of British television, mysteries with a tinge of humor and something different than the standard DVD fare will want to seek this one out. While at first I wondered what would happen next by the third episode I found myself laughing aloud at the antics on screen. For entertainment value this is one worth seeking out.
Well worth your time
scrubber21 November 2022
Michael Kitchen stars as a struggling businessman who throws a surprise party for his wife on their 19th wedding anniversary. Sophie Okeado is a benefits clerk who moonlights as a waitress and is on duty at the said party. On the way home she realises that her handbag has been left behind, so she returns to collect it and finds Kitchen dragging the body of his dead business partner across the hallway. The weak Kitchen falls apart and breaks down, but Sophie, who is made of much stronger stuff, decides to support him and provide an alibi for the 'accidental death' and subsequent events which unfold. The two main characters are superb and ably supported by Phylis Logan who plays Kitchen's wife. This was originally a three part series, but I watched it one sitting and it was well worth the time. Recommended.
Engaging delight
rmarch4 November 2008
I thoroughly enjoyed this engaging, but rather hard-to-peg movie. It was part thriller, part drama, part humor, part slice-of-life tale of the trials of marriage and life... Altogether entertaining, however, and the performances were believable and interesting. The two leads are marvelous.
After watching it, I came here to read a bit about it and was so surprised to see that it was 2 1/2 hours long. I never looked up while I was watching it! If you had asked, I would have said 90 minutes. A definite treat if you are looking for something that follows its own path and keeps you thinking and smiling.
After watching it, I came here to read a bit about it and was so surprised to see that it was 2 1/2 hours long. I never looked up while I was watching it! If you had asked, I would have said 90 minutes. A definite treat if you are looking for something that follows its own path and keeps you thinking and smiling.
An Excellent Thriller!
gordonl562 June 2015
Warning: Spoilers
ALIBI: 2003
This is a rather good television thriller from the UK. Michael Kitchen and Sophie Okeondo headline this clever and tense television outing.
Miss Okeondo is a just divorced civil servant who has a job working for a catering firm of the side. One evening, she is working a birthday party at a country home owned by Michael Kitchen and Phyllis Logan. Okeondo notices that the wife, Logan, is "friendly" with one of the party guests. The man, Tom Knight, is the business partner of husband Kitchen.
The party ends and the catering bunch pack up their gear and head back to town. Several miles up road Okeondo notices that she has left her handbag at the house. She is dropped off and heads back to the Kitchen's house.
She arrives to a darkened house. She knocks on the door with no response. The door is unlocked, so she enters. She heads up the stairs to grab her purse and stumbles onto Kitchen. Kitchen is moving the body of his partner, Knight. Okeondo lets out a scream. Kitchen drops the body and moves towards Okelondo.
The woman hotfoots it up the stairs and locks herself in the washroom. Kitchen knocks on the door and says it is not what it looks like. Kitchen explains that it was an accident and that Knight had fell and hit his head. Kitchen, who had had more than a few drinks at the party, explains. Kitchen and the wife, Logan had, had a row over the cost of the party etc. She had then stormed off and driven to her sister's home. Kitchen and Knight had then had a dispute of their own over the company business. Knight had slipped and banged his noggin.
For some reason, Miss Okeondo believes the man. She exits the washroom and the two talk. She asks why Kitchen never called the Police or the medical types. Kitchen says he was just about to when she appeared. Okeondo suggests that they thrash out an alibi for Kitchen. They soon realize that several hours have elapsed since the incident. How are going to explain this time lapse to the Police.
They decide to load up Knight in his sports car, then, dump it off the road several miles up the lane. While Okeondo cleans up the mess, Kitchen moves the body and car. When he pushes the car off the hillside, it rolls down, hits a tree and bursts into flames.
Now a whole series of events have the pair hopping back and forth with their stories etc. The burning car of course draws Police attention. Okeondo has the bad luck to take the taxi back to town that spots the burnt out car. The driver reports this to the Police.
Now Okeondo discovers that Logan and Knight had been stepping out on Kitchen. Okeondo now thinks that maybe Kitchen had indeed done a murder. That is till she talks with him again. It is obvious to her that Kitchen never knew about Logan and Knight's extracurricular activities. Now Kitchen has to decide whether to let the wife know, that he knows about the affair. Logan of course is nearly off the deep end. She and Knight had planned on taking off for a new life.
The Police are nosing around trying to figure out why Knight's car went off the road. Kitchen says the man was drinking while Logan tells the Police Knight never had a drop.
Okeondo, now that she is involved, is spending her time helping Kitchen stay calm. She even helps out about Kitchen and his now dead partner's, business. She goes through the company books and finds that Knight had been lifting funds from the company. Knight had been using false invoices etc to bilk the firm out of 120 grand in cash. The cash was hidden in a bank account in Knight and Logan's name.
Needless to say this leads to a showdown between Kitchen and the wife. Logan denies having anything to do with the cash scam. She does admit to the affair. She now accuses Kitchen of murdering her paramour. Again Okeondo has to step in to keep everyone out of jail.
This one has plenty of twists and turns and more than a few red herrings. The writing is superb and the film has a nice look to it. The entire cast is in top form with Kitchen and Okeonde both delivering the goods.
The more I see of Sophie Okeondo, the more impressed I am with her work. The one time Oscar nominated actress is equally adept at playing a plain Jane type, or a drop dead gorgeous sexpot. Check out her roles in SWEET REVENGE, HOTEL RWANDA and DIRTY PRETTY THINGS. Kitchen is best known for the long running BBC series, FOYLE'S WAR.
The writer, Paul Abbott, worked on such UK series as, TOUCHING EVIL, CRACKER, SHAMELESS and STATE OF PLAY. The man can weave a tale! There are two different versions, the full length 180 minute one, and the shortened DVD release for the US. I recommend the full version.
This is a rather good television thriller from the UK. Michael Kitchen and Sophie Okeondo headline this clever and tense television outing.
Miss Okeondo is a just divorced civil servant who has a job working for a catering firm of the side. One evening, she is working a birthday party at a country home owned by Michael Kitchen and Phyllis Logan. Okeondo notices that the wife, Logan, is "friendly" with one of the party guests. The man, Tom Knight, is the business partner of husband Kitchen.
The party ends and the catering bunch pack up their gear and head back to town. Several miles up road Okeondo notices that she has left her handbag at the house. She is dropped off and heads back to the Kitchen's house.
She arrives to a darkened house. She knocks on the door with no response. The door is unlocked, so she enters. She heads up the stairs to grab her purse and stumbles onto Kitchen. Kitchen is moving the body of his partner, Knight. Okeondo lets out a scream. Kitchen drops the body and moves towards Okelondo.
The woman hotfoots it up the stairs and locks herself in the washroom. Kitchen knocks on the door and says it is not what it looks like. Kitchen explains that it was an accident and that Knight had fell and hit his head. Kitchen, who had had more than a few drinks at the party, explains. Kitchen and the wife, Logan had, had a row over the cost of the party etc. She had then stormed off and driven to her sister's home. Kitchen and Knight had then had a dispute of their own over the company business. Knight had slipped and banged his noggin.
For some reason, Miss Okeondo believes the man. She exits the washroom and the two talk. She asks why Kitchen never called the Police or the medical types. Kitchen says he was just about to when she appeared. Okeondo suggests that they thrash out an alibi for Kitchen. They soon realize that several hours have elapsed since the incident. How are going to explain this time lapse to the Police.
They decide to load up Knight in his sports car, then, dump it off the road several miles up the lane. While Okeondo cleans up the mess, Kitchen moves the body and car. When he pushes the car off the hillside, it rolls down, hits a tree and bursts into flames.
Now a whole series of events have the pair hopping back and forth with their stories etc. The burning car of course draws Police attention. Okeondo has the bad luck to take the taxi back to town that spots the burnt out car. The driver reports this to the Police.
Now Okeondo discovers that Logan and Knight had been stepping out on Kitchen. Okeondo now thinks that maybe Kitchen had indeed done a murder. That is till she talks with him again. It is obvious to her that Kitchen never knew about Logan and Knight's extracurricular activities. Now Kitchen has to decide whether to let the wife know, that he knows about the affair. Logan of course is nearly off the deep end. She and Knight had planned on taking off for a new life.
The Police are nosing around trying to figure out why Knight's car went off the road. Kitchen says the man was drinking while Logan tells the Police Knight never had a drop.
Okeondo, now that she is involved, is spending her time helping Kitchen stay calm. She even helps out about Kitchen and his now dead partner's, business. She goes through the company books and finds that Knight had been lifting funds from the company. Knight had been using false invoices etc to bilk the firm out of 120 grand in cash. The cash was hidden in a bank account in Knight and Logan's name.
Needless to say this leads to a showdown between Kitchen and the wife. Logan denies having anything to do with the cash scam. She does admit to the affair. She now accuses Kitchen of murdering her paramour. Again Okeondo has to step in to keep everyone out of jail.
This one has plenty of twists and turns and more than a few red herrings. The writing is superb and the film has a nice look to it. The entire cast is in top form with Kitchen and Okeonde both delivering the goods.
The more I see of Sophie Okeondo, the more impressed I am with her work. The one time Oscar nominated actress is equally adept at playing a plain Jane type, or a drop dead gorgeous sexpot. Check out her roles in SWEET REVENGE, HOTEL RWANDA and DIRTY PRETTY THINGS. Kitchen is best known for the long running BBC series, FOYLE'S WAR.
The writer, Paul Abbott, worked on such UK series as, TOUCHING EVIL, CRACKER, SHAMELESS and STATE OF PLAY. The man can weave a tale! There are two different versions, the full length 180 minute one, and the shortened DVD release for the US. I recommend the full version.
A worthy and intriguing TV movie venture
wellthatswhatithinkanyway8 September 2003
STAR RATING:*****Unmissable****Very Good***Okay**You Could Go Out For A Meal Instead*Avoid At All Costs
Alibi is a gripping and thoroughly engaging TV movie thriller,with believable characters in believable situations.This is given extra credence thanks to the realistic,down-to-earth performances from the two leads,Michael Kitchen and Sophie Okelondo.They are given no sassy dialogue or outlandish situations to perform with,which,in this instance,has been for the better.The story manages to keep you gripped over it's two part duration,with it's clever and entertaining twists and turns.Be warned,though,as it's not all great.The director allows the pace to drag a bit in parts,there is an unwelcome comedy element spewing over things and the ending is the very definition of anti climatic.Still,it's a very audacious and well made effort for ITV1 to herald,and is well worth catching if you haven't seen it already.***
Alibi is a gripping and thoroughly engaging TV movie thriller,with believable characters in believable situations.This is given extra credence thanks to the realistic,down-to-earth performances from the two leads,Michael Kitchen and Sophie Okelondo.They are given no sassy dialogue or outlandish situations to perform with,which,in this instance,has been for the better.The story manages to keep you gripped over it's two part duration,with it's clever and entertaining twists and turns.Be warned,though,as it's not all great.The director allows the pace to drag a bit in parts,there is an unwelcome comedy element spewing over things and the ending is the very definition of anti climatic.Still,it's a very audacious and well made effort for ITV1 to herald,and is well worth catching if you haven't seen it already.***
enjoyed but a solid 7
mymeister23 July 2020
Sophie and Michael are the dream comedy team
lorrainesilvers20 August 2019
Would you ever imagine Sophie Okonedo doing farce laugh out loud comedy with Michael Kitchen? See Alibi and I dare you not to guffaw. It's dark and slow burning and actually turns into a romance. My only gripe is that there wasn't a sequel. Best thing Paul Abbott has written. He's a genius helped by Hal Lindes understated score, and Catherine Creed's editing. Brilliant!
A classy, funny thriller.
Sleepin_Dragon27 March 2020
Albi really does tick all the boxes, it's funny, entertaining, and allows for the cast to show off their incredible acting skills.
The story is a pretty simple one, a woman (Sophie Okonedo) returns to a the home of a man (Michael Kitchen) she had been waitressing at to collect her handbag, but when she arrives she thinks she's seen him kill someone.
ITV turned out some terrific one off dramas in the early 2000's, and this was one of the best. Nowadays we only seem to get series comprising of six parts, I miss these single dramas.
It walks the line between comedy and drama, it's very funny, but there's enough mystery to keep you intrigued. Kitchen and Okonedo are both incredible, they play one off another so well, the supporting cast are equally as good.
Favourite scene has to be where Greg has taken a few valium, and feels a little groggy, very funny.
It should have a commercial UK release. 9/10.
The story is a pretty simple one, a woman (Sophie Okonedo) returns to a the home of a man (Michael Kitchen) she had been waitressing at to collect her handbag, but when she arrives she thinks she's seen him kill someone.
ITV turned out some terrific one off dramas in the early 2000's, and this was one of the best. Nowadays we only seem to get series comprising of six parts, I miss these single dramas.
It walks the line between comedy and drama, it's very funny, but there's enough mystery to keep you intrigued. Kitchen and Okonedo are both incredible, they play one off another so well, the supporting cast are equally as good.
Favourite scene has to be where Greg has taken a few valium, and feels a little groggy, very funny.
It should have a commercial UK release. 9/10.
Worthwhile
PeterHerrmann23 April 2020
The plot, characters, dialogue, acting are all very well done. Lots of twists and turns, and you want to know what happens next (always a key ingredient for success). Saw it over 3 nights (Acorn split it into 3 pieces - wisely IMHO). It's sort of a thriller - but not too tense (I no longer have the stomach for 'tense' thrillers), with humor (not LOL type humor, but makes you smile inwardly). Likeable characters.
Good story, odd ending.
patengel1 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Long version of "what a tangled web we we weave when first we practice to deceive." An accidental death becomes more suspicious as the story goes on, with more motives as well. Michael Kitchen's guilty twitchiness goes on too long, especially when he veers between that and false bravado. Other reviews talk about dark comedy, but I did not find any humor in this. Sophie Okenedo was the star, but her character, Marci, was too good a liar for me to know if she was going to be helpful or not. The back and forth among everyone at the end was very confusing and did not result in a satisfying ending. I watched the three part version on Acorn and almost gave up several times.
Brilliant!
delilahfuzzypig17 June 2023
Very, very watchable. I discovered this TV movie 20 years after it first aired.. my loss of course but I am making up for lost time.
Being a Michael Kitchen fan prompted me to find and watch it and, at least to me, I cannot think of any other actor being able to take on the main role and make it work as well as it does - MK is brilliant in it.
Sophie Okonedo is also brilliant as the matching lead role and, once again to me, is utterly believable in her character - the world needs more Marcias!
I think some reviewers found the plot a little odd in that why would this young woman help in the way she does - well I feel it is because she can sense the desperation in the lead character and she feels sorry for him and believes in him.
All the actors did a fantastic job - yes, I suppose I wish the ending was slightly less rushed and we clearly have to make our minds up as to what may follow - being a softie I made my mind up.
Love this TV film - just love it!
Being a Michael Kitchen fan prompted me to find and watch it and, at least to me, I cannot think of any other actor being able to take on the main role and make it work as well as it does - MK is brilliant in it.
Sophie Okonedo is also brilliant as the matching lead role and, once again to me, is utterly believable in her character - the world needs more Marcias!
I think some reviewers found the plot a little odd in that why would this young woman help in the way she does - well I feel it is because she can sense the desperation in the lead character and she feels sorry for him and believes in him.
All the actors did a fantastic job - yes, I suppose I wish the ending was slightly less rushed and we clearly have to make our minds up as to what may follow - being a softie I made my mind up.
Love this TV film - just love it!
Fatal flaw ruins good acting
janetr6627 February 2018
I will abstain from rating this 3 part movie because after watching part one I was so annoyed by the fatal plot flaw that I lost interest in watching the rest. The acting was good, the premise intriguing, but, from the beginning, the story revolves around the unlikely assumption that Marcey, the caterer, would put herself at risk by assisting a possible murderer, lying to the police and essentially becoming an accomplice. As the plot unfolds she gets in deeper and deeper ... why??? Why would any reasonable person do that? Sorry, I just couldn't buy it.
Very good
gwinegarden-2406618 August 2021
Vintage TV suspense from the flip-phone era
The_late_Buddy_Ryan4 September 2022
The premise may seem a bit farfetched at first, but everything clicks into place pretty quickly, and by then there's no looking back. It's entertaining to watch Michael Kitchen, the unflappable DCI from Foyle's War, scurrying around on the wrong side of the law, and Sophie Okonedo is appealing and expressive, as always, as a random cater-waitress who impulsively throws in her lot with him.
We liked the way the protags' backstories and psychological makeup are sketched in subtly, without too much obvious effort at reverse engineering. Sophie O's character and motivation remain a bit of an enigma, but we're left with plenty of clues to sort through when the dust is settled.
It's a rare murder mystery that doesn't lose momentum after the setup is in place, but the script (by Paul Abbott, the creator of the original UK Shameless) certainly keeps things moving, and he wraps things up very neatly in three compact eps.
We liked the way the protags' backstories and psychological makeup are sketched in subtly, without too much obvious effort at reverse engineering. Sophie O's character and motivation remain a bit of an enigma, but we're left with plenty of clues to sort through when the dust is settled.
It's a rare murder mystery that doesn't lose momentum after the setup is in place, but the script (by Paul Abbott, the creator of the original UK Shameless) certainly keeps things moving, and he wraps things up very neatly in three compact eps.
Edited programs.
psmithuk-472129 July 2022
The channel shows repeats of Death in Paradise. The originals on BBC were all one hour long. On Alibi they are also one hour long but include adverts. Alibi edit the program and remove sections of the program (often the dialogue between the Inspector and his team following the identification of the murderer. Occasionally, Alibi shows the programmes unedited as a 1h20m duration.
See also
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