Ever notice how the screenwriter, through a character who supposedly knows what he-she is talking about, can sometimes introduce a plot element that, unless we sit back and analyze what has just been offered, we blindly accept?
'The General's Daughter' contains such an element: The General's daughter has just been murdered. Understandably, the General is quite upset and wants to keep this incident out of the media. Therefore, he tells John Travolta, the crime must be solved in 10 days. If it is not solved in ten days, the FBI will get involved. This must be avoided, because unless the FBI enters the fray, the media will not find out about the murder and a successful cover-up can be accomplished.
Say what?
How in Hell's name does the FBI getting or not getting involved in the murder investigation have anything to do with whether or not the story becomes a headline? The woman lives off base. She sees people: her neighbors and her landlady, for instance (in films it seems it's always a landlady; hardly ever a landlord). She does business with people in the local community. She has friends. She works with people. Someone just may notice she's missing. Someone may ask questions. Then there is the matter of local law enforcement. They knew all about the murder, and were rather agitated about the entire affair. HELLO? Do we not realize that local newshounds read police reports? I mean, c'mon. It's part of their job. And finally, there is the tiny matter of where and how the body was found (I won't give it away, but suffice to say it wasn't very well hidden). When dead bodies are found lying around rumors start to fly, and anyone who has ever been in the military, or that matter in any job environment, knows how rumors get around.
But let's just keep the FBI out of this. Wouldn't want THEM blabbing all over the place!
'The General's Daughter' contains such an element: The General's daughter has just been murdered. Understandably, the General is quite upset and wants to keep this incident out of the media. Therefore, he tells John Travolta, the crime must be solved in 10 days. If it is not solved in ten days, the FBI will get involved. This must be avoided, because unless the FBI enters the fray, the media will not find out about the murder and a successful cover-up can be accomplished.
Say what?
How in Hell's name does the FBI getting or not getting involved in the murder investigation have anything to do with whether or not the story becomes a headline? The woman lives off base. She sees people: her neighbors and her landlady, for instance (in films it seems it's always a landlady; hardly ever a landlord). She does business with people in the local community. She has friends. She works with people. Someone just may notice she's missing. Someone may ask questions. Then there is the matter of local law enforcement. They knew all about the murder, and were rather agitated about the entire affair. HELLO? Do we not realize that local newshounds read police reports? I mean, c'mon. It's part of their job. And finally, there is the tiny matter of where and how the body was found (I won't give it away, but suffice to say it wasn't very well hidden). When dead bodies are found lying around rumors start to fly, and anyone who has ever been in the military, or that matter in any job environment, knows how rumors get around.
But let's just keep the FBI out of this. Wouldn't want THEM blabbing all over the place!