Deceptions

Honestly, 4 stars is too many, but I wanted to be generous. Deceptions was not what I expected. This was the slowest-moving and most yawn-inducing film I've seen in a while. Even a physically attractive lead actor (Harry Hamlin) wasn't enough to keep me engaged. And that's unusual for me, because I love eye candy, but the acting was so melodramatic, and the plotline was so weak, that I found myself not even caring to know what the resolution of the story was. Harry Hamlin is a cop named Nick Gentry, who, along with his partner, Jack 'Harley' Kessler (Robert Davi) are investigating the murder of a man killed by his wife (Nicollette Sheridan), a socialite who spends her days walking around the house in a bikini, in what appears to be a home invasion. It's no surprise when her and Nick sleep together. Instead of remaining objective, he lets himself get hypnotized by her looks. How stupid is it for a cop to have sex with the suspect? The loopholes and inconsistencies are annoying. Not to mention, once the characters start making self-destructive moves, I'm done. If you ask me, the whole film seems to have been made just for the cast to show off their bodies. Granted, it is labeled as erotic, but I need more than that if I'm watching a mystery/crime drama. It's okay if you're looking for something mindless to watch. But if you want a solid storyline, multi-dimensional characters, or anything deep, I would suggest looking elsewhere.

this movie quickly declares itself as a did-she or didn't-she detective mystery. i am not so sure about the plot, but it is worth contemplating and it has its distinctive moments (which is not easy when there are so many similar plots out there). the movie has that shot-in-l.a. look that makes it seem cheap even if the visuals are well conceived. director reuben preuss shows obvious talent. the real surprise is that nicolette sheridan can act. she is cast as "a walking wet dream" and even if you are not immediately captivated by her luscious looks, she quickly wins the viewer's affections with an intelligent portrayal of her character. there is one scene, in a hotel room, where ms. sheridan shows great strength, and one wonders whether BEVERLY HILLS NINJA is a fair place for such a capable actress to be plying her trade. robert davi also turns in a strong performance. harry hamlin is not my idea of a leading man. but he does not grate, and he wins for his role sufficient sympathy to keep the movie going, even if the script calls for an inhuman number of emotional twists from his character. the actor's guild should put a limit on the number of turnabouts that the writers can demand of a character. if you want to claim that this movie doesn't hold a candle to BASIC INSTINCT, ask yourself what this very capable crew might have done with a bigger budget, darker sets, and a little more time to work out the story line.

This is a pretty good movie if you like murder mysteries. Harry Hamlin does his usual good job at being the bad boy cop who does not have enough sense not to get involved with a suspect and the usual gratuitous sex was nice Ms Sheridan has the required nice Bod. And the Sax Soundtrack is familiar from the red shoes dairies movies. And it was not annoying. it surprised me at the end but I had figured it out or had a good ides about who did it. must not have been that hard to figure out if i got it right

If i wanted some mindless entertainment i would watch it again

This is an excellent movie which keeps you guessing till the end. don't know why others gave it such a bad rating. Nicolette sheridan with a British accent is the cynosure in this movie has done an excellent job and looks great . Also the ending is a bit shocking. also it is worth watching the movie again once you know the ending.

My review was written in February 1990 after watching the film on Republic Pictures video cassette.

"Deceptions" is an atmospheric, stylishly directed film noir. Headed direct-to-video, pic has strong potential for pay-tv as well, though it lacks the character depth to make it as a theatrical feature.

Helmer Ruben Preuss continues to show potential in the thriller genre on the basis of this and previous pic "In Dangerous Company", but still a long way from delivering a film of "Body Heat" calibre.

Harry Hamlin toplines as a cop irresistibly drawn to his main suspect, Nicolette Sheridan, who's holding the smoking gun after shooting her husband (Marshall Colt) when he pretends to be a burglar and tries to stab her in a break-in at their mansion.

Both Hamlin and partner Robert Davi are puzzled as to why anyone would kill such a luscious spouse as Sheridan. Circumstantial details gradually point to the existence of an accomplice, a gilr named Marta who resembles Sheridan and supposedly was hubby's squeeze on the side. Pic resolves the whodunit with some good twists while the viewer's suspicion concerning Sheridan remains in the forefront throughout.

Based on a short story by Ken Denbow published in Alfred Htichcock mystery magazine, pic shares the qualities of the late master's tv show in keeping one guessing. Casting of the idealized leads Sheridan and Hamlin provides an alluring, glamorous look, but neither gets inside the character. In Hamlin's case, Richard Taylor's script doesn't detail what makes him tick beyond the obvious attraction to Sheridan, absolutely smashing-looking in and out of a parade of swimsuits (recalling her big screen debut in Rob Reiner's "The Sure Thing"). Sleek design work, including Sheridan's whit-on-white manse, provides a cool, modern tone.

Davi is solid as the no-nonsense cop who adds some fire to the laid-back proceedings. Lensing is fine and the film benefits tremendously from Gary Scott's catchy and haunting musical score in a minor key, replete with wailing saxophone.