Impulse

Intriguing but slow moving thriller about an undercover woman vice cop who yields to the temptation of sex and money. Theresa Russell, who reminds me of a younger Kathleen Turner, provides a very capable performance as a woman who lets her undercover identity take over from her. Fine acting by the cast all around, but the turgid pace of the entire movie puts a dampener on it all. Watch it if you have the patience.

Why can't all movies have the mood of films like this? What do I mean about mood? I'm talking about the feeling that you are somehow thrust into the world created by the film's story...you are there, witness to the action and the drama. Other films that exhibit this charactersitc are 'body heat', 'hot spot', and various other film noir and independent films. I'm not saying this film is either, but it has the spirit of films like that.

Russell carries the film with a very gritty performance that is just incredible to behold. She is completely believable as the sexy cool, street smart but soft spoken cop. I really, really like the way she totally immersed herself into this character. She was totally convincing! To me, anyway. I liked how she didn't have to say anything at all in certain scenes yet her facial expressions said so much about what she was thinking. Her character is really the hub that the story spins around. True, some elements of the film rely too much on the standard, stock and trade cop related drama and action film, but the parts that don't really elevate this film above the status quo.

I can' recommend this film enough. The ending let me down a little but overall, wow...what an unusual, surprisingly good film. Russell is simply heavenly in this role. Who directed it is perhaps even more of a surprise.

Theresa Russell portrays a remarkable policewoman with style! Though she is sexy and hot in her undercover roles, she's also reserved in her private life. She's nobody's playmate...even if that's how she appears on assignments.

Many viewers have never watched this movie yet....though it's been around since 1990. Why are the networks reluctant to include this film more often in their schedules? There's plenty trash on the air, and yet a sparkling gem like this movie rarely sees the light...

Instead of leaving you breathless and trying to keep track of all the twists and turns, this story gives you breathing-space to savour and digest each scene. What a refreshing change! Aside from the main story-line, some scenes are educational for both men and women. How so?

Well, the behaviour of some men disgusts Theresa Russell, and her response is eloquent enough. Yet she responds warmly if some man treats her respectfully, gently and politely. Theresa Russell's character can discern between a gentleman and a lout, which would go down well with female viewers, no doubt. On the other hand, male viewers can re-assess how to really win a woman's heart...the right way!

Fairly interesting movie about an undercover policewoman which unfortunately gets muddled. As the story tries to cover too much ground that in the end leaves everyone watching confused and unconcerned about what it's trying to tell them.

Trying to mix big time drug dealers and protected witnesses who the DA is trying to get to testify against their former associates, the mob, with an obsessive and corrupt police officer. Together with an undercover policewoman who has enough problems outside as well as inside the police department doesn't jell together in this very complicated and confusing movie.

Besides all the negative things one can say about the movie "Impulse" the one very positive thing about the film is the appearance and acting of it's beautiful and talented star Teresa Russell. Teresa makes you, in many cases, forget the plot holes and inconsistencies of the movie just by watching her whenever she's on the screen.

In "Impulse" a female undercover cop (Russell) stings johns, gets involved with a drug bust, and...yada yada yada. A typical and ordinary Hollywood crime genre product with Russell and Fahey sharing the spotlight, "Impulse" is a par flick, shot entirely in and around L.A., with the usual ugly bad guys, macho cops, chases, shootouts, etc. with the emphasis on drama over action. Nothing new here. Best enjoyed with your favorite beverage and munchies.