Color of Night (D+ or 1.5/4 stars)
'Color of Night' (directed by Richard Rush) has been a controversial film because of the flesh on display in some sex scenes (involving Bruce Willis & Jane March). And while those scenes do crackle with eroticism, the movie isn't good enough to warrant the controversy. Psychoanalyst Bill Capa (Willis) was thriving with his practice in N.Y. before one of his disturbed patients threw herself out of his office window during a therapy session. Distraught, unable to continue treating patients, & suffering from a stress-induced color blindness (only seeing shades of gray), he aims to start fresh by heading to L.A. to spend time with old college pal, & fellow colleague, Dr. Bob Moore (Scott Bakula). But the visit turns serious when Bob asks Bill to sit-in on his 'Monday night group session'. There, he is introduced to several intriguing cases (all of whom killed someone or performed a grievous illegal act), including a sex-obsessed kleptomaniac named Sandra (Leslie Ann Warren); Buck (Lance Henriksen), an angry ex-cop who can't get over the murders of his wife & daughter; & Clark (Brad Dourif), a lawyer with OCD.
When Bob is mysteriously murdered a few days later, Bill believes that the killer is one of these aforementioned people; although, the detective in charge of the case, Lt. Hector Martinez (Ruben Blades) suspects 'him'. Starting with Bob's murder, things go from bad to worse for Bill; as even his car is rear-ended. However, when he meets the driver, a stunningly beautiful woman named Rose (Jane March, of The Lover), he starts to believe that his fortune is changing for the better. Beguiling, yet strange, the woman comes in & out of his life 'til they start a passionate affair. But this relationship, a welcomed diversion for Bill, soon becomes central to the deadly plot as the movie progresses. One of the 'Monday night session' crew winds up dead. Bill is subjected to several murderous attacks. And it 'appears' that Rose is involved with one or more of the patients, as well. Everything culminates in a twist ending.
By nature, film noir thrillers rely on stellar plots. But this movie just isn't very good. Sure, it may be a guilty pleasure for some. It's trashy, & that can be entertaining. But the basic plot is fairly routine; very little flashes. There are 'twists', but if you figure them out ahead of time, & realize 'whodunit', then you'll walk away loathing the film. Some of the dialogue crackles (btwn. Bill & the lieutenant), but most of it is eye-roll worthy. The most interesting part of the film is the handling of the character's psychological issues. That said, those fall by the wayside to make room for sillier subplots, ineffective direction, & sex exploitation. Seeing Bruce Willis in the cast does not assure us that his John McClane (of Die Hard) will ever show up, unfortunately. Aside from seeing some of his manhood, he bring little to the table, acting-wise. Jane March spends a good part of her screen time scantily clad or completely nude. She's not bad, but I don't think many people are tuning in for her thespian abilities. I enjoyed the sex scenes, but it's all the film has to show for itself. And that is pretty sad. Still, piss-poor quality assured, I did not hate this movie.
When Bob is mysteriously murdered a few days later, Bill believes that the killer is one of these aforementioned people; although, the detective in charge of the case, Lt. Hector Martinez (Ruben Blades) suspects 'him'. Starting with Bob's murder, things go from bad to worse for Bill; as even his car is rear-ended. However, when he meets the driver, a stunningly beautiful woman named Rose (Jane March, of The Lover), he starts to believe that his fortune is changing for the better. Beguiling, yet strange, the woman comes in & out of his life 'til they start a passionate affair. But this relationship, a welcomed diversion for Bill, soon becomes central to the deadly plot as the movie progresses. One of the 'Monday night session' crew winds up dead. Bill is subjected to several murderous attacks. And it 'appears' that Rose is involved with one or more of the patients, as well. Everything culminates in a twist ending.
By nature, film noir thrillers rely on stellar plots. But this movie just isn't very good. Sure, it may be a guilty pleasure for some. It's trashy, & that can be entertaining. But the basic plot is fairly routine; very little flashes. There are 'twists', but if you figure them out ahead of time, & realize 'whodunit', then you'll walk away loathing the film. Some of the dialogue crackles (btwn. Bill & the lieutenant), but most of it is eye-roll worthy. The most interesting part of the film is the handling of the character's psychological issues. That said, those fall by the wayside to make room for sillier subplots, ineffective direction, & sex exploitation. Seeing Bruce Willis in the cast does not assure us that his John McClane (of Die Hard) will ever show up, unfortunately. Aside from seeing some of his manhood, he bring little to the table, acting-wise. Jane March spends a good part of her screen time scantily clad or completely nude. She's not bad, but I don't think many people are tuning in for her thespian abilities. I enjoyed the sex scenes, but it's all the film has to show for itself. And that is pretty sad. Still, piss-poor quality assured, I did not hate this movie.