Derrière les apparences

Everyone who criticized Verhoeven for Showgirls should more than reconsider. How he got a quite nice acting job out of Elizabeth Berkley should make any director proud. I don't want to sound to mean, especially if you consider the material at hand here, but judging from what you see here, you never would have guessed she has it in her to be any (even only by little) better than this.

But it would be unfair to only judge her (even if she is one of the main roles in this, especially considering the title) and not the entire movie. It's just all over the place and predictable does not even start to describe it. And I have to admit that I didn't even notice the one big "blooper" (if you wanna call it that, it's more of a big mistake, which isn't the editors fault as much as the directors and the continuity people on set ... if there were any to begin with that is) that some of the other reviewers noticed, because I was longing for this to end. It's the pool scene towards the end. If you want more info about that, without having to watch the movie, read the other reviews, I won't spoil that.

Black Widows are probably ashamed being associated with this movie ... that would be guess ;o)

In Dallas Texas, a well-built man disrobes and takes a steamy shower for the cameras. He is joined by a seductive woman. After a nap, the man is shot dead. Three years later in Malibu, California, another muscular young millionaire meets alluring blonde Elizabeth Berkley (as Olivia Whitfield). Apparently, this woman makes a habit of marrying millionaires who get themselves killed off - leaving Ms. Berkley a wealthier and wealthier "Black Widow". This time, however, handsome victim Randall Batinkoff (as Daniel "Danny" Keegan) has a concerned female friend who decides to investigate the whirlwind courtship...

The other woman is "LA Post" photojournalist Alicia Coppola (as Melanie "Mel" Dempsey). We suspect she has what Berkley calls "unresolved feelings" for Mr. Batinkoff. This gives Ms. Coppola the chance to show some of the best acting among the leads; her reaction shots improve the others' performances. The only other thing of note is Berkley's cleavage. Director Armand Mastroianni is unable to build any mystery or suspense, but he gets TV Movie-level skin in. Possibly, because the last dead body moved too much, "Black Widow" was reedited and re-released as "Dark Beauty". Wisely, they rejected "Black Beauty".

**** Black Widow (2/21/08) Armand Mastroianni ~ Elizabeth Berkley, Alicia Coppola, Randall Batinkoff, Adriana DeMeo

Super predictable and reminded me of a boring lifetime movie. Cheesy music is playing every seen. Unless you are in the mood for an hour long soap oprah, dont waste your time. Watch the original 80's version with Debra Winger. Its much better.

The movie is OK - more at the end - but it is an incredible mistake, about 10 minutes from the end, which made me register with IMDb just so I could let others know.

Near the end, there is a body floating upside down in a swimming pool. I won't give more details, so this does not become a spoiler.

When you get to this scene, watch the body. The person moves around, lifts the head up breathing... Amazing this made it through the final editing.

The movie itself is typical for TV movies - OK to watch when you want to kill a couple of hours, but nothing you'll remember for long. The story line is predictable - (is there anyone who would not predict the incident with the cell phone in the hotel room...) My family enjoyed watching it, and laughed for hours about the pool body scene.

This was apparently released in 2007, then re-cut and re-released in 2008.

It is a workable "journalist picks up story and tries to protect her friend from a Black Widow" storyline.

Alicia Coppola as the journalist does a decent job following the threads. Her longtime male friend does a good job as the "blinded by love" potential next victim.

The investigative phase is more-or-less plausible. Creative use of a Blackberry sets the timeframe. I am always amazed by how quickly a cellphone call connects in an American film!

The climax and denouement are efficiently handled, saving our heroine. This film helped to pass an afternoon spent ironing this week's laundry.