Red Shoe Diaries

Directed by the same guy who brought you such soft-core classics as 9 1/2 Weeks and Wild Orchid, this steamy pilot was made for late night cable TV. Starring X-Files main man David Duchovny. A husband [David Duchovny] sorting through his recently deceased wife's belongings [played by Brigitte Bakeo] comes across a red diary. Devastated he finds that his wife was not the devoted woman who claimed that she wanted a meaningful and lasting relationship. ...She longed for the perfect opportunity for having a secret affair with a total stranger. The perfect body ...on the perfect man [played by Billy Wirth]. Torn between her two lovers, and trapped by a burning secret, she decides that the only way out is suicide. Leaving her husband wondering, just how many others out there are going through the same problems. At the end of the film, he decides to put an add in the paper, which is how Zalman King ties together the various vignettes in the TV series.

A good movie if you want to see a pre-X-file D. Duchovny (talking dirty and shirtless). Also, if you like erotica, then this is a good movie for you. It is filmed with a lot of strange lights and shadows that sets the dark mood of the movie.

My friend Chris rented this movie expecting something along the lines of the terribly formulatic romantic/erotic ShowTime series from Zalman King. I was very surprised with this movie. A pre-X-Flies David Duchovony stars as a man still mourning over the death of his beautiful fiancee (Brigit Bako, of Strange Days). He then finds her diary which reveals a steamy relationship between her and a shoe salesman (Billy Wirth). The story is well-written and -acted, except for the stiff Duchovony.

This movie deserves a wider audience, because I think people will like and identify with it. Three Stars out of Four.

I had to watch this movie right after watching a newer movie that explores similar themes, however, with a May / December relationship where the woman is much older that her lover - I will leave it at that without naming names LOL That movie was so awful! So, I decided to explore how these types of movies were once made & better - enter director Zalman King. I enjoyed this movie for the most part. In fact, I enjoy these types of movies that came out during a specific timeframe of the late 80s-early 90s. It's erotica & meant for women mainly. Most women with some life experience will understand its appeal & I admit, it's not for everyone. It's slow but sensual & filled with a lot of desire & foreplay. Many current movies with erotic themes try to replicate aspects of King's style, down to certain scenes (I will not name titles, will leave it to your imagination); however, these fail miserably. I find those movies often cold or crass even. There is a warmth in these movies that is simply not captured in modern similar films. The dialogue is uncomplicated but there are plenty of visuals and use of specific colours to emphasize character development, all the while becoming a part of the storytelling. If you enjoy a more sensual & steamy twist to romance, you may enjoy this, just ensure you are focused & not multitasking & you just might feel the appeal.

Sure, this movie has become a soft-core series on cable television... but this movie is COMPLETELY different from the series that followed. That said, it has a soul. It is depressing as hell. Very realistic scenario, and top-notch acting by all involved.

I will not spoil the movie... but please give this film a fair shot. The last 15 minutes alone are worth the price of the DVD easily. The "basketball scene." This movie definitely touched a part of my heart, being as I'm a good guy... not a jerk. And usually, the nice guys finish last... I won't say if the nice guy in this film finishes last or not, but I will say it's very, very heartfelt... and very, very sad. EXCELLENT score, too, by George S. Clinton, who also provided music for Brainscan and others.. he has a beautiful piano style that reminds me of Thomas Newman in its soul.

Do give this film a fair chance. Must be watched from the beginning, or you'll miss the whole point.