Tele-Terror

An extremely silly "thriller". First of all, the Dereck character in real life would have gotten arrested for a number of offensives he commits. (He wouldn't have gotten serious sentences, but he would at least been arrested.) Second, the plot is really thin - see how many times and ways the filmmakers pad out the movie, including, but not limited to people walking around slowly from point A to B, Fairchild undressing, Fairchild showering or bathing, Fairchild in a hot tub, Fairchild driving around, etc. etc. Third, Dereck doesn't really become creepy or frightening until near the end of the movie - most of the movie, he acts like a confused little boy.

However, credit to the crew who lit and photographed the movie. Their work is definitely above average. Pity that the other material of THE SEDUCTION doesn't deserve it.

I'm not really sure if this movie was originally made for TV; but I wouldn't be surprised if it was as it has all the hallmarks of a made for TV thriller, and unfortunately that isn't a good thing. The film is called The Seduction but there's nothing really seductive about it; admittedly 'The Tired, Cliché Ridden, Suspense-less Thriller' might not have been the wisest choice for a title; but at least it would have been a bit more apt! The movie takes the often used idea of a stalker taking his stalking of a famous person too far; in this case the famous person is pretty newswoman Jamie Douglas. Morgan Fairchild, who takes the lead role, is actually one of the best things about the film; she delivers a good performance and looks nice too, unfortunately it's wasted with such tired material. There's very little suspense in the film and director David Schmoeller (who previously directed the decent seventies horror Tourist Trap) seems more keen to focus on humdrum events. There's the odd sex scene and it's slightly steamy but nothing to get excited about. The ending is actually fairly well done but it's not worth an hour and a half of tedium getting there! Overall, I'm actually quite disappointed in this because I love a good throwaway thriller; but this is not a decent example and therefore not recommended.

for anyone who might tend toward romantic obsession, here's your cure. do yourself (or a friend) a favor and (get him to) watch this film. fifteen minutes into the film, you just want to punch andrew stevens in the mouth. the problem is that the harasser never seems to know what a jerk and a fool he is being. here's the message, written in big red letters. too bad more men don't see themselves this way until it's too late. of course, derek (mr. stevens' character) becomes a very bad person by the time he gets his due. if only derek could see himself in this movie, maybe then he wouldn't have taken that first step. sure, not all crushes are actually stalkings. and there is the risk that the truly disturbed stalkers won't understand that this movie is supposed to help them not to do it. the movie may just make a lot of people paranoid. still, it as an effective counterpoint to the CINEMA PARADISO-style treatment of unrequited love, and too much of that sort of fantasy romance in cinema just exacerbates this social problem.

it's not so much a thriller as a public service announcement. amazingly, farrah fawcett is in BURNING BED just two years later. one has to think that blossom kahn had more to do with this film than the credits reveal.

it's obvious why morgan fairchild took the script. ms. fairchild was never the bimbo that people accused her of being. (i have a friend who was at a bio lab at harvard when she phoned to discuss primate genetics for several hours! no kidding!) the kind of power that julia roberts uses today to deliver ERIN BROCKOVITCH was enjoyed by ms. fairchild in 1982, and she seems to have used it here. ms. fairchild even gives up her body with shocking compliance (with dozens of nude scenes, and almost constant appearance on screen) in order to keep the drooling men in their seats until the lesson is complete. as easy as it is thus to applaud ms. fairchild, mr. stevens deserves greater praise. not many leading men would have taken such a role in 1982, and mr. stevens is the perfectly detestable pretty-boy delusional peter-pan smarm. the boys will watch this film for ms. fairchild, and they will learn to leave the girls alone because of mr. stevens.

Long before the days of anti stalking laws and before it was a crime just to even look at a woman if she suspected fear, this film "The Seduction" shed light on the issue of stalking bringing it to the headlines. As in the early 80's when the film was made most states had yet to impose stalking laws, as the victims were put thru a lot of torment just as the Fairchild character was in this film. Yet thru the years with attractive stars, newscasters, and sports sideline reporters being the victims of stalkers the issue has came to the forefront and the laws against stalking are broad and tough. Mostly the well known and attractive are targets and this film showcased that well.

"The Seduction" is one underrated early 80's thriller with plenty of suspense and erotic drama. Set in L.A. anchorwoman Jamie Douglas(the beautiful and attractive Morgan Fairchild)is at the top of her game with cover girl looks, a beautiful California hills home, and a top rated news show along with a tough guy lover Brandon(Michael Sarrazin). Yet add one big negative and that's Jamie has a strange and obsessed fan a crazed and lonely admirer named Derek(B movie legend Andrew Stevens). Right away when Jamie says no to Derek's romantic offer, he becomes off the chain in his obsession one by one it's the strange phone calls, letters, flowers, to the eventual following of Jamie to work, the mall and even her own home. Derek's snapshots of Jamie's most private and personal moments are at an all time high as this obsessed guy is now a regular pepping tom! Yet the police can't assist as in these times before the anti stalking laws were written this was a laugh, so revenge and stoppage must come from Jamie! Overall this film was a joy to watch for it's suspense and erotic scenes proving that many like Derek become obsessed with a beautiful attractive lady. And these obsessions can take a turn for the worst, and this film in my opinion shed light on the issue of stalking as it probably helped push for strict laws and tougher guidelines. Overall this is one film not to miss.

THE SEDUCTION (1982)

I am so happy they decided to restore this retro, schlocky gem that I might have never seen. It stars a fierce and gorgeous Morgan Fairchild as a tv news personality who finds herself stalked by a sexy, obsessive stalker played by a hunky Andrew Stevens. It's pretty by the numbers but it's a fun horroresque, erotic thriller that really delivers. Not to spoil anything but basically she just reaches the point where she refuses to be the victim and fights back. It's pretty damn satisfying.

Budget: $3m Box Office: $11.4m

7.5/10