Columbo: Sex and the Married Detective

The '80's Columbo movies aren't really known as the best one within the series but this movie forms a good and enjoyable exception. No big surprises, since the movie is directed by James Frawley, who always knew how to make a good and entertaining Columbo movie.

It's also a movie with one of the best Columbo movie-titles. Sex and Columbo in one sentence is of course something completely strange, funny and interesting, before you even start to learn what this movie is all about. When a successful sex therapist learns that her lover is cheating on her she murders him. The fact that Columbo's main suspect is a sex therapist brings the lieutenant in some awkward and embarrassing positions, which of course works out well for the movie its amusement level. It's also a surprising sensual movie for a Columbo movie entry. Normally the movies are quite tame, old '30's movie- and TV style, with its romance.

The movie has a good build up and is also otherwise fine constructed. Despite the fact that the Columbo character shows up fairly late into the movie, the movie isn't among one of the worse ones, like normally so very often is the case when Columbo first enters so late into the story.

Lindsay Crouse played a fine role opposite Peter Falk. She gives away a good performance and her character is a good one. She is an actress who mostly acts in television projects and isn't too well known, despite the fact that she in 1985 received an Oscar nomination for her role in "Places in the Heart", in which she starred together with Ed Harris, Sally Field, John Malkovich and Danny Glover.

It was simply a pleasant movie to watch, due to its pace, story, settings, the very much present humor, characters and performances and directing from James Frawley.

8/10

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Successful sex therapist Dr. Joan Allenby (Lindsay Crouse) spies her boyfriend David Kincaid (Stephen Macht) cheating on her. She murders him with what she assumes to be the perfect plan dressed as the woman in black. Police detective Columbo (Peter Falk) takes it apart piece by piece.

This is the standard howcatchem from Columbo. It is fun to see Lindsay Crouse deteriorating from smug to harried. A lot of Columbo is about seeing the next guest star doing a villain turn and Crouse is always great at making the turn. Stephen Macht is the second star although he only has a limited role. This is good.

I am quite surprised at how many negative reviews I have seen here. I happen to think this is one of the best Columbo episodes around. I personally don't like the choice of music, because it is synonymous with cheesy sexual films. Other than that, however, I think this episode is first rate. Lyndsay Crouse does a superb job as the murderer. Columbo is not turned into a senile caricature, as in some of the later episodes. He retains his dignity throughout, with the occasional comic responses and scenes. The brief bathroom scene, and the longer scene in which he plays psychologist are both hilarious, and his embarrassed expressions and comments when the topic of S-E-X comes up are very endearing, and in line with his old-fashioned character. As for those critics here who have pointed out the incredible 'luck' in finding clues, I don't think that is the case at all. He finds them primarily because of his extraordinary awareness and astute recognition, not because of luck. Most other people simply would not notice a tag hanging from someone's clothing. His cat and mouse games with the suspect are highly enjoyable. As always, he accords respect for an esteemed person even after he suspects them of murder, and is more apt to put off any direct suggestions of guilt until he pretty much has it all in the bag. Finally, his manner of setting her up in the final scene, as well as her concerns regarding what he thinks about her and his eloquent and sensitive response, introduce an interesting psychological layer to the story. Thoroughly entertaining and absorbing.

Lindsey Crouse's tour-de-force performance as a nationally known sex therapist who is betrayed by fiancee Stephen Macht (himself, delightfully slimy) has a special place in my heart. The story is extremely well told with lots of humor and terrific supporting performances. The murder plan is ingenious and memorable executed. Columbo has a field day with the sex therapists. Columbo playing the tuba was a lot of fun also. The look Crouse comes up with for her courtesan alter ego is stunning. The scene where Columbo holds up a social event while he scans the Ladies' Room for clues is an all-time classic. The ending scene with the fireplace is very compellingly set up. This is one Columbo that should not be missed.

Columbo's episodes are really quite a combination of serious, lightheartedness, good acting, an excellent cast, and drama mixed with comedy. Sex and the Married Detective casts Lindsay Crouse who is an excellent actress and does a superb job in this episode. She plays a sex therapist who discovers and learns of her lover's infidelity. She decides revenge. I found this episode to be much more entertaining than some others and still worth watching again and again. I found the interaction between Columbo and the Crouse to be the most interesting as well. Like most of Columbo episodes, one of the trademarks is to treat the audience and the suspect with intelligence rather than dumbing them down.