Le prix du péché

Perhaps not enough car chases or gratuitous sex for the under-25 crowd, but if dark psychological thrillers work for you, don't miss this one.

A very different film that seems straightforward at first but quickly descends to a dark, quirky film with outstanding performances by Katt and Dean, both very underrated and underused actors of great skill. Katt has come a long way since he was Carrie's ill-fated prom date. His dark partner-mentor in this film, "Sam Silver," keeps Katt -- and certainly the viewer -- confused and off-balance: who is this guy? Devil? Guardian Angel? The "666" address of the topless bar gives us a clue -- maybe. This guy Dean is further proof that Hollywood just doesn't know what to do with spectacular talent; he generally just plays strange character roles instead of the meatier stuff he should be doing.

This offbeat little offering is in a class by itself. Perhaps not the perfect family film for the little kiddies, but for the viewer with half a brain and a taste for juicy, twisting plots this is a rare treat.

With an inane plot, moronic script, half-assed directing, and, worst of all, inept acting -- in a word, CHEEZY -- you have to question why a movie like this even exists. The quick answer is sexploitation, of course, but then why not just pile on the sex, instead of complicating it with (a) a noir cliche like the crusading public servant falling into moral dissolution, (b) the enigmatic Christoid character from another plane of reality, whose name, Sam Silver, is a takeoff on the director's name? This dud was in the theater for one week before it disappeared, and when I went I was the only person in the audience! To see this was slumming and it was a guilty pleasure like junk food. The only reason I remember it is because of the unexplained pretentiousness of inserting an ill-fitting note of profundity in the person of Sam Silver, and especially, the presence of Elena Sahagun, a very beautiful and underappreciated actress. It was worth the price of admission just to see her prancing in sexy white lingerie. Please, someone, give her a major role in a well-directed quality film and let her shine. She deserves much better!

Pretty wierd film. William Katt's performance makes up for a lot in this thriller about a man who is framed for the murder of a stripper with whom he had sex with. The other performances are stale (especially Wendy MacDonald's) but Maria Ford is a hot one and the sex scenes are pretty graphic (which should amuse some people out there). Altogether, worth watching with a date or with a bunch of your friends and a six pack on a boring Friday night. 5/10

I first saw this movie a long time ago on Joe Bob Briggs' Drive-In Theater (remember when TMC had this...they REALLY need to bring him back).

A decent cast with the gorgeous Maria Ford, one of my favorite porn stars Madison (billed as Madison Stone), Rick Dean (in an amazing performance), William Katt (Greatest American Hero), Wendy MacDonald and the lovely Elena Sahagan...plus a special appearance by my favorite cheesy movie director, Fred Olen Ray and Roger Craig (yes, the football player).

The plot is a bit simple, a city councilman rallying against filfth wanders into a strip club and ends up in trouble...

Rick Dean as Sam Silver is amazing and mesmerizing. The strip club scenes are great and the dances well choreographed...too often movies set in strip clubs have gals on stage who look like they've never seen a pole before....

The addition of a bit of a surprise ending and some dark humor make this one of those great popcorn flicks...

The soundtrack was surprisingly good. William Katt is perfect as the councilman pulled by a mysterious stranger who holds his fate. maria ford is totally HOT as the object of his desire. Becky Woo should be rich from the song Welcome to the Dark Side.