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(1994) Save Me ADULT THRILLER/ MYSTERY

After the success of Basic Instinct. Release one year prior to this one, other companies came out that possess a similar theme.

It centers on businessman and separated, Jim Stevens (Harry Hamlin) entering into a boutique, when as soon as he spots Ellie (Lysette Anthony) wearing a piece of lingerie, he begins to notice her. When her spouse, Oliver (Michael Ironside) shows up and when Jim leaves, Elie and Oliver then leave soon after. But not when Ellie leaves a sticky note behind for him to look at! And upon looking at the footnote, it says "Save me!" hence the title with her phone number written on it for him to call her. We find out Oliver is a professional and licensed shrink and he tries to convince him to not to believe everything she is telling him.

When I first saw this movie, I was a horny little teenager and did not pay too close attention to the movie and set up itself. But after re-watching it again after many years later, the movie is not half as bad, considering it is a little predictable with some twists.

Here is the short version description of "Save Me." First half seduction and sex. Second half unbelievable contrived plot, with holes the size of truck tires. Basically this is the type of movie that leaves the audience wishing they had never watched it. The film also sees fit to waste the considerable acting talent of Michael Ironside, by keeping him well in the background for the entire interminable 93 minutes. If Lysette Anthony's sex scenes are your sole reason for watching then I suggest hitting the eject button at halftime. You know the type of film where the end keeps getting more ridiculous with each rewrite, well "Save Me" is that film. - MERK

At the start of the movie, Jim Stevens has to explain to his young son Kenny that parents sometimes have to spend time apart. It's not that he and Kenny's mother hate each other, but he and Kenny both wish things could be different.

And if you were looking for a family movie, that is all you should watch.

Jim goes to a mall to buy a present for Kenny, and he sees this beautiful woman walk into a lingerie store. Ellie tries on a sexy teddy, and she actually walks out into the store still wearing it. Jim desperately tries not to appear to be a pervert.

Outside the store, Oliver shows up angry, and his behavior suggests that he abuses Ellie. Ellie writes a note with her phone number and the words "Save Me". Jim calls the number and Ellie suggests meeting at Santa Monica Pier. There, she explains that Oliver is the psychiatrist in charge of her mother's care, that she wants to break up with him, and that he will do anything to stop her from leaving.

Jim sells bonds for Barton and Robbins, and while he has made lots of money for them in the past, the company has been carrying him for a year and this has to stop. And on that day he had the talk with Kenny, Jim did show up late and dressed like a construction worker while everyone else was wearing nice suits. Barton seems to be on his side, but Jim's new boss Michael wishes he were in charge so he could just fire Jim. Jim refuses to go against his values, which Michael doesn't have. On what may be a related note, someone with Michael's values handles Oliver's money.

Jim's values are quite different where personal relationships are concerned. He doesn't seem to be formally separated from his wife, and yet what happens with Ellie makes this a forbidden romance/women in jep movie typical of Lifetime. Actually, we don't really see Ellie in jeopardy nearly as much as we see Jim running for his life.

Jim's friend Matthew offers help in solving the Oliver problem, and he has a cabin with a hot tub to which he invites Jim and Ellie.

The second half almost redeems the movie. There are some unexpected plot twists. Or, if you're the type who can see these things coming a mile away, lame plot twists. But I enjoyed them. Also a pretty good car chase.

Even if this wasn't any better than a typical TV-movie, Michael Ironside and Lysette Anthony give superior performances (well, for this material, anyway). I wasn't sure if it was just the accent in Anthony's case, but later I realized she was talented. Bill Nunn did a good job as the detective. Only one acting performance was truly bad: Steve Railsback as the evil boss Michael.

If you enjoy watching a woman just get undressed, there's a scene in the lingerie store that should make you feel cheap and dirty. Since the credits say "nude model", I have to wonder if the scene was redone for TV. I didn't see much of Ellie either, which I understand is a shame.

I wouldn't say good, only "good enough".

I remember seeing the box cover for 'Save Me' on video store shelves back in the day. It was kind of hard to miss with the featured blonde's boobs popping out. Perhaps that's what kept me from renting this T&A flick because there's no denying that's what it is.

Jim Stevens (Harry Hamlin) is going thru a tough separation and on the spot at work to produce results. Then enters Ellie (Lysette Anthony) a random woman he's attracted to in public. She plants a note within his view with her number as she runs into Oliver (Michael Ironside). Later she tells Jim he's crazy, controlling and she needs his help. She also can't wait to jump Jim's bones.

Have you ever watched a film where a guy can't think with his big brain? Do you know what a red flag from a woman looks like? Taking a page from 'Basic Instinct' & other erotic thrillers someone in a high end car tries to run Jim down multiple times. Takes shots at him. Ironside is usually fun, but doesn't go over the top here. Bill Nunn appears as a police detective while Steve Railsback plays Jim's awful boss.

'Save Me' is the kind of flick I saw thru almost immediately. Maybe you will too. The acting is relatively decent and there's no denying Lysette is a gorgeous woman with an accent, but you'll have to decide if female nudity is enough to sit thru a rehash story with a dumb man & obvious red herrings.

In the wake of "Fatal Attraction" and "Basic Instinct" came a bunch of bad to average movies that followed the same basic formula. This is one of those such films. On the surface, this film should have been better. Lysette Anthony, Harry Hamlin, and Michael Ironsides are all great actors, but it's obvious that they weren't giving 100% in this one, and the writing and dialogue didn't give them much to work with. A viewer will easily figure out what's going on long before the main character does.

I've had a crush on Lysette Anthony since seeing her in "Krull" as a child, so, as other reviewers have said, the only redeeming feature of this movie for many people will be seeing her nude for much of it.

Incidentally, if you want to see a better but similar film, try "Dream Lover".