Spinning Man

A happily married professor, known for having many affairs with students, becomes the prime suspect when a young woman has gone missing. Evan Birch is a family man and esteemed professor at a distinguished college, where his charm and reputation have made his philosophy class very popular. When a female student named Joyce goes missing, Evan's previous off-campus dalliances make his wife question his alibi. Gruff police Detective Malloy has even more reason to be suspicious when crucial evidence makes Evan the prime suspect in Joyce's disappearance. Suddenly, the questions Evan faces aren't merely academic--they're a matter of life or death. Suave philosophy professor and loving family man, Evan Birch, is still trying to put the past behind him, and the hurtful experience that almost ruined his marriage several years earlier. However, the refined intellectual lands in a tight spot once again, when popular high-school cheerleader Joyce Bonner goes missing, bringing grizzled police detective Malloy to his doorstep. Little by little, minor slips of the tongue and strange inconsistencies in his statements will make Evan the prime suspect, putting to the test his already-shaky alibi. Is Evan really involved in the young girl's disappearance? —Nick Riganas Respected philosophy professor Evan Birch leads a carefree life as a family man. At least, that's how it appears at first glance. In reality, however, Birch has a tendency to have affairs with his female students. He even had to leave his old job due to an incident in the past and is therefore anything but a model husband. When 17-year-old cheerleader Joyce Bonner disappears at a lake, Birch finds himself in serious trouble. The investigator in charge, Malloy, follows a lead that takes him straight to Evan Birch: shortly before the young woman's disappearance, the professor's car was seen near the lake. Birch can hardly believe what he is being accused of and refuses to cooperate with the authorities. However, due to his massive memory lapses, he nevertheless becomes frightened: Could he really be capable of kidnapping or even murder? Malloy also turns his attention to Birch's immediate circle and questions his wife Ellen. She is irritated that Birch is refusing to cooperate with the investigators, but believes it to be a harmless misunderstanding. While Birch struggles to remember the day of the murder, Malloy continues his investigation undeterred, determined to uncover the truth. But is there such a thing as universal truth? —3sat