reviews". Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale. Roger Ebert gave the film 4 out of 4 stars, calling it "truly labyrinthine and ingenious." Richard Schickel of Time wrote, "Viewers who arrive at the movie five minutes late and leave five minutes early will avoid the setup and payoff for the preposterous twist that spoils this lively, intelligent remake of 1948's The Big Clock." Desson Thomson of The Washington Post wrote, "The film makes such good use of Washington and builds suspense so well that it transcends a plot bordering on ridiculous." See also Culture during the Cold War References External links Official website (MGM) 1987 films 1980s crime thriller films 1987 LGBT-related films 1980s psychological thriller films 1980s spy films 1980s action drama films American crime thriller films American independent films American LGBT-related films Remakes of American films American political thriller films American thriller drama films Cold War spy films Films based on American novels Films based on crime novels Films based on military novels Films directed by Roger Donaldson Films set in Washington, D.C. Films shot in Baltimore Films shot in New Zealand Films shot in Virginia Films shot in Washington, D.C. Films scored by Maurice Jarre Orion Pictures films 1980s Russian-language films Films about the United States Navy American neo-noir films 1987 drama films 1980s English-language films 1980s American films