Ein dreckiges Spiel

Puerto Rico provides a bright and beautiful backdrop for this dark Film Noir thriller which gives a modern twist to this neglected but classic genre.

Aside from a rather dark view of humanity, noir films rely on suspense, plot twists and relationships. This film cleverly utilizes all three.

Knocked for being a rather wooden performer, Lamas is well cast as the stiff, almost emotionless lead, making a strength out of what would in other circumstances be a weakness and Brenda Strong is effectively evil and always hot.

The plot has enough twists to keep from being predictable but builds slowly enough to keep from being confusing. The slowness of the story is counterbalanced and punctuated by action, violence and nudity.

This isn't a kid's film but then again Film Noir probably isn't a kid's genre.

Mike Aguayo(Lamas) is a strange combination of naive friend and ex-cop,ex-con. He's got a good heart but he's a little weak on the moral issues. There is the friend(ex-partner) who is setting him up for the second time. There is the girl who loves him and the woman he is being paid to seduce but who he would willingly follow on his own without any kind of encouragement. In fact, the harder time she gives him the more he has to have her. But she is the one who has him just where she wants him. Thank God for a fair minded police detective with even better instincts who is willing to put himself on the line to find the truth! It would be wrong not to mention bedroom scenes with both women. I'm still trying to figure what it is they are doing in the first one!

Starring Lorenzo Lamas, Brenda Strong(Seinfeld's braless wonder) and Frank Vincent, Undercurrent is an intense, sun-splashed, psycho-sexual thriller filled with intrigue and an array of cagey characters. The film has plenty of twists and unexpected scenes. Great locations and cinematogopry capture the fascinating urban locations of historic old San Juan, elegant hotels, palatian homes, picturesque seascapes, and even the cockfight colleseum. This is a change of pace film for Lamas and he carries the role very well.

As an avid fan of Lorenzo Lamas, I really enjoyed this movie. I liked the character he played and it wasn't over the top or over -acted. I thought they could have chosen a better female lead, however. I don't think Lorenzo fans will be disappointed.

Liked the story (James Hardley Chase type - likeable guy falls in trouble because of beautiful women and riches) and also liked the location. Brenda Strong was amazing!

Ending was a bit contrived though.