Review - Brigham City, Hidden Gem on Prime

Today’s review is for an unusual movie, BRIGHAM CITY, now streaming on Amazon Prime.

(If you’re not a subscriber, you can purchase a DVD of Brigham City from Amazon.)

The tagline for this thriller is chilling and appropriate: “Nothing attracts a Serpent like Paradise.”

The movie, directed, written, produced, and starring Richard Dutcher, debuted in 2001. It’s a captivating tale of pure evil that kept us guessing to the last few minutes of the film.

We never guessed the identity of the serial killer who nearly destroyed the  small Utah town peopled by devout Mormons.

I know very little about the Mormon religion so I found its depiction of religious devotion that underscored the lives of all the inhabitants of Brigham City very interesting. It seemed real, not artifice.

SHORT BLURB

Sheriff Wes Clayton (Dutcher) is also a Mormon bishop in the picturesque small town of Brigham City. One day he discovers the body of a woman from California, murdered and left near her car. Wes doesn’t have the resources for a murder investigation and since the car was from out of state, he calls in the FBI.

A second murder makes him realize the murderer must be one of the citizens of the close-knit community. He must now solve the murder any way he can before it is too late.

DETAILS

Along with Richard Dutcher are Matthew A. Brown, Wilford Brimley, Carrie Morgan, Jongiorgi Enos, and Tayva Patch. Although the film budget was $900,000, raised by contributions, no corners are cut.

The movie is top notch. The ending is emotional and so different. The story and characters get  under your skin. You’ll find yourself thinking about it hours or even days after watching it.

Rotten Tomatoes critics gave it a 71% “Fresh” rating. New York Times critic Lawrence Van Gelder praised Dutcher, Brown, Brimley, and Morgan, calling their performances “impeccable” and described the film as, “an example of concise, skillful filmmaking.”

MY 2¢

Absolutely compelling.In fact, I would watch another movie with the same characters and setting both of which were original and different from the usual fare. 

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

Brigham City is truly a hidden gem. Watch it. You won’t be disappointed.

Joan Reeves aka SlingWords: The Word Slinging Adventures of Joan Reeves

Source: https://slingwords.blogspot.com/2025/08/review-brigham-city-hidden-gem-on-prime.html