Portraits of a Killer

This movie had lots of promise as a potentially good to even great mystery; but, it got lost in how it wanted to end.

Was the main suspect the killer or a blackmailer or innocent? Was the assistant head prosecutor a killer or accessory or just an overly ambitious attorney trying to protect her name and future? At the end of this movie you can fill in your answer to the above questions because they are still open and unresolved at this end of this movie.

Some good performances by the photographer, the defense attorney, the pimp and even the prosecutor's people are all wasted on the bumbling, and fumbling ending to this movie.

Attorney Elaine Taylor (Jennifer Grey), early in her career, is chosen by circumstance to represent a presumptive serial slayer, George Kendall (Costas Mandylor), a well-known photographer of prostitutes, some of whom happen to be the murder victims, whereupon Elaine becomes attracted by her client's possible innocence (as well as by his maleness), complicating affairs for all concerned as evidence to be exhibited by the local district attorney's office is purportedly enough to indict Kendall. The film is hampered by a confusing screenplay that confounds a fairly routine storyline, resulting in scenes being disunited and lacking in suspense, but Grey is always interesting to watch and performs creditably here, as does Currie Graham as procurer for the slain ladies of the evening, while cinematographer Curtis Petersen adds interest to the undertaking despite the script's flaws of continuity.

Yet another prostitute has been murdered. This one was found at the St. Louis Hotel in a city never named (though the credits say Calgary). All the victims appeared in photos in George Kendall's book. Motive: sales of the book went up after the murders.

Raymond Garrison is about to retire as prosecutor, and Carolyn Price, who was at a fund raiser for her women's shelter when the latest body was discovered, is next in line for the job. Elaine Taylor takes Kendall's case, even though she is not a partner and has no experience in murder cases. Jim Miller wants to let Dan Goldberg take over, but Elaine asks to be given a chance.

I thought both lawyers came across as determined and intelligent, even though both showed a lack of judgment at times. In fact, someone said Elaine's behavior could have gotten her disbarred. Still, this was an interesting mystery when it wasn't boring, with some action and excitement toward the end.

We think we know who did it. We are never told for sure ... the person who might be guilty could have been framed. The ending does not wrap everything up neatly.