Schmutziges Spiel

Despite the racy title, this is a pretty standard TV-movie shown in 1989. Prior to its broadcast there was a big noise and controversy in the press over the supposed decadent and depraved content. (Lisa Hartman plays a cop who goes undercover at an upscale brothel that caters to S&M fetishes, etc.) Plus the added allure of Vanessa Williams as a hooker - fresh from her nude photos scandal in Penthouse - added fuel to the fire.

The media complained bitterly about such sordid trash being flung in the face of the public. The movie itself turned out to be a remarkably tame police drama. No nudity, nothing weird or shocking, just a few quick glimpses of shadowy couples and some off-camera noises (whip-cracking, moans, etc.). Slightly suggestive, but nothing to justify all the fuss. Maybe they saved some footage for the video release, but I doubt it. For this sort of story, better to check out "Undercover" with Athena Massey which really does deliver what it promises.

Average TV Movie with a good cast. Enjoyable.

Lisa Hartman is listed first but it's really more of a Tony Denison movie. He gets more scenes, especially in the first half. He's a cop investigating a murder and she's a new investigator, from the District Attorney's office, working with him. This is her first case in the field. He doesn't really want a partner but, of course, they end up attracted to one another.

Writer Stephen Zito crafted multiple episodes of shows like Midnight Caller and JAG, and this mostly plays like an episode from a late '80s cop show. It made me think of Jake and the Fatman, for some reason. There are some nice twists and surprises along the way. Denison is great, and Judson Scott stands out in a smaller supporting role.

It originally aired as an NBC Sunday Night Movie against... the first episode of Lonesome Dove (which trounced it in the ratings) and It's Garry Shandling's Show on FOX.

I got this for a VERY cheap price from a bookshop in Cambridge, because it was £5 for 4 double-pack DVD's, and i couldn't see any other horror, so i decided to get some 'porn' to make up the numbers. Despite this movies title, and cover, there is no really graphic sex at all, Its basically a straight crime thriller, involving high-class "escort girls" being murdered, blackmail and a very angry detective "doing it his way" after being taken off the case. This has all been done before, but if you are a fan of that genre (I'm not!), or just fancy some late 80's nostalgia (check out all the neon strip lights in the woman's house at the start!), then you should enjoy this.