MANY people have come to know Sandra Bullock as a fabulous looker, but with roles that always seem to poke fun at her.

'Murder By Numbers' does nothing of the kind. Bullock plays Cassie Mayweather, a homicide detective in danger of becoming too close to the victims she must investigate.

And when a body of a young woman is dumped in a forest, Cassie has to confront her own demons.

Moreover, she has to convince disbelieving colleagues the forensic evidence is all pointing the wrong way.

Bullock is supported by Ben Chaplin, who plays her partner Sam Kennedy.

His performance is OK, but the film mainly concentrates on Cassie.

The plot is well thought out.

The audience is left in no doubt that the two precocious high school kids are guilty.

Richard Haywood, played by Ryan Gosling and Justine Pendleton, played by Michael Pitt II, are malevolently brilliant.

While one has the brains to work out the 'perfect' murder, the other has the bravado to push them both to do it.

Cassie has to ignore clues usually so reliable, and follow her instincts against all the odds, and against her own colleagues.