Deadly Love

I'm a fan of both the vampire genre and Stephen McHattie, an actor who hasn't received the recognition he deserves in this country. Both McHattie and Dey are very good in this love story/vampire flick. She is the ghoul and he is a detective assigned to investigate the suspicious murders committed by the unknown fiend. They fall in love and the affair ends predictably--she leaves him because she won't inflict her life of darkness and suffering upon him. Dey's daytime persona is a fashion photographer, and she looks suitably sophisticated in the role.

Best elements of this movie: no gore, to speak of, and a first- rate cast. The plot concentrates on the relationship between hunter and prey, and their complex feelings. This is, of course, a romantic movie about a vampire rather than a bloodbath of vampire kills and killing. I really appreciated the literate script and nice editing. I've tried to find the film on tape, but it doesn't exist. I've seen it twice on TV, and would like to buy it if it ever becomes available. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

Deadly Love is an outstanding piece of reverse casting. Susan Dey, whose middle name is Nice, plays the vampire, and Stephen McHattie, Mr. Menace, is the cop trying to stop a series of murders. Because neither of these actors is playing to type, we don't know until the end which of the captivated lovers is the bigger threat to the other.

The award-winning McHattie shows his electric screen presence at its best. Whether he is playing tentative lover or dogged detective, steamy seducer or invisible shadow, when he is on the screen, he is the one you look at. Dey had to give a strong performance to live up to him, and succeeded.

The plot is well constructed, the suspense builds at a good pace as we learn to understand the characters' emotions, and the sets compliment the story well. Parts of the sound track linger in the memory. Special praise to the cameraman who showed what a vast range McHattie's unique face can give us, from conventionally handsome to rag doll.

This movie is owned by the Lifetime Channel and plays rarely on that channel only, so don't miss it if you get the chance to see it. It stands up well to rewatching.

After witnessing her lover commit suicide, a vampire named "Rebecca Barnes" (Susan Dey) wanders the streets of New York looking for her next victim. When she isn't on the prowl she also doubles as a photographer which seems to relieve her boredom more than anything else. One night she meets a man and after taking his picture agrees to go for a walk with him. When he tries to rape her he gets more than he bargained for and his body is found in a dumpster the next day-drained of blood. About 3 weeks later a police officer named "Detective Sean O'Connor" (Stephen McHattie) just happens to see the dead man's photograph in an art magazine and goes to talk to the photographer in an attempt to gather some leads. It's then that both Rebecca and Sean meet and quickly fall in love. But the more Sean investigates this murder the more he begins to suspect that Rebecca is somehow involved. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this was a surprisingly good made-for-television movie which did a decent job of conveying the loneliness that Rebecca has had to endure for such a long time. I especially liked the chemistry between the two lead actors along with the excellent performance by Susan Dey in this particular role. Likewise, the fact that she looked quite stunning certainly didn't hurt either. In any case, this was an entertaining film and I have rated it accordingly. Slightly above average.

Quite simply, the age-old, always new story of two people who fall in love, a love that is doomed from the start.

He's a homicide detective, a man who brings killers to justice. She's a vampire, a deadly predator who must kill to live. And they fall deeply in love, as he begins to learn her true nature.

Not a chick flick per se, just an exceptionally good TV film, with a superb cast. No one does vulnerable strength better than Susan Dey.

I gave it a 7 out of 10. Decide for yourself.