Movie Fact #4 - August 21st, 2020
The 1987 film Suspect focuses on a public defender (Played by Cher) mounting a legal defense for a homeless man (Played by Liam Neeson) who is accused of murdering a Justice Department file clerk. In preparation for these roles, Cher, Neeson, and co-star Dennis Quaid did considerable research for their roles. To play Kathleen Riley, the public defender, Cher spent considerable time with the Public Defender's office in Washington, D.C. and attended several trials in District of Columbia area courts along with visiting jails and talking to convicted men. Neeson lived in a Washington, D.C. homeless shelter for two days to prepare for his role. And Dennis Quaid took a month before filming to talk and spend time with Capitol Hill lobbyists, as well as jurors and judges, to prepare for his part as a Capitol Hill lobbyist.