Dead Women in Lingerie

My review was written in October 1990 after watching the film on Monarch video cassette.

The colorful exploitation moniker "Dead Women in Lingerie" fronts for a social protest film about mistreated immigrant garment workers. Direct to video release will disappoint thrill seekers.

Filmmaker Erica Fox signals her intentions pretentiously with opening credit cards reminding the viewer about the 1987 immigration reform act tht allowed illegal aliens to register, while subjectintg employers to prosecution if they didn't follow the rules.

Akin to the "Pacific Heights" stretching of a tenant law technicality into thriller fodder, "Dead Women" is about a serial killer of Latino garment workers in L. A. Payoff has militant overtones: it turns out to be, no surprise, a sadistic Immigration & Naturalization Service agent blackmailing and preying on the defenseless women Pic could have used more of the sleaze elements promised by its title, as Fox' construction is haphazard, notably in a bungled final reel jumpcut from a showdown at gunpoint to an off-camera car backfiring like a gunshot. Plot gimmick that the garment workers, who double as models, get to take home their fancy lingerie (so the killer can murder them in style) is ridiculous. Acting here by feisty heroine Maura Tierney (who looks like Linda Hamilton) and prime suspect (he's too obvious to be guilty), employer Jerry Orbach is okay. June Lockhart and Lyle Waggoner have guest shots as Tierney's improbable parents.

Heart-on-sleeve end credit dedicates this misfire to helmer's grandma, an immigrant New York garment worker.

The only reason I'm writing this is to issue a warning, because I see that nobody else has bothered to (and deservedly so): if you're thinking of renting/watching this movie because the title sounds intriguing and you feel this could be a buried exploitation treasure, PLEASE DON'T DO IT! This must be one of the worst non-movies of its decade. Comedic sequences that are not the least bit funny, a mystery plot that can support about 10 minutes of action, and one of the most annoying leading men ever to appear on the screen (he didn't appear again). Maura Tierney is kind of likable, on the other hand, and she has all my sympathy for being stuck in a role that requires from her to find her co-star...attractive. Please, don't be fooled, don't ever rent this.

I first saw this movie just out of college, and recently saw it again. I remembered that the film was okay, but what I had forgotten was how much I liked the leading man, John Romo! He's funny, handsome, and VERY SEXY! I don't know where he's been all these years, but hopefully,we'll see him again in something soon. I don't know who did the commentary above, but clearly, it must be a man. And clearly, this man doesn't know what women find attractive. I thought John Romo did a great job of playing the quirky detective, and his dancing with Maura Teirney was adorable! And what a smile!!! Where is John Romo now??? Hopefully, planning his comeback!

Anytime I Watch A Film & Laugh,I Have To Say "I Enjoyed It"!This Is The Case With "Dead Women In Lingerie! I Saw The Film On HBO & Later Bought Me A Copy! The Film Is A Murder Mystery With A Twist Of Humor!As I Said It Made Me Laugh In A Few Places! The Funny Parts Being John Romo & Maura Tierney's Relationship,Among Others! It Was Good To See June Lockhart,Lyle Waggoner,Dennis Christopher,& Jerry Orbach Too!This Film Like Some That Do,Doesn't Try To Take Itself Too Seriously!For This Reason It Works For Me! I Recommend This Film! Good Viewing!