Mercy

One of the better written and highly disturbing novels of the serial killer genre, and David Lindsey's most famous work has been translated into a painfully tedious and mind-numbing movie. All of the electricity of the novel is gone. Despite Ms. Barkin's obvious talents, she cannot carry this through some terrible screenwriting, direction that is designed to anaesthetize, and peripheral acting, including her own, which seems downright ridiculous. Pretty obvious from the first 5 minutes that this was a Canadian production, probably Toronto, and probably by someone who couldn't get a car-chase action movie to direct. READ THE BOOK!!

I can understand those who give Mercy a 1 ... in many ways, it's a terrible film. For the most part, it's a teenaged boy's wet dream about beautiful lesbians, wrapped in Lynchian style.

And yet, I couldn't stop watching it. Ellen Barkin remains a highly underrated actress (and an unbelievably sexy woman for her age.) Peta Wilson has hypnotic beauty and holds her own quite well with Barkin. She actually "researched" the role by delving into LA's lesbian S&M scene for a few weeks ... what a trooper.

If you have Memento-esque short-term memory lapse, this is a great film. Forget the plot and float along in its lurid eroticism.

Although it is not the most intellectually stimulating movie you will ever see, Mercy is well worth the rental price.

Ellen Barkin plays Katherine Palmer, a homicide detective tracking down a sadistic serial killer who chooses female victims from very wealthy and socially prominent circles.

Palmer finds a connection between the victims in Vicki Kitrrie (Peta Wilson) a mysterious and very seductive blonde who had a sexual connection with many of the victims. It seems that all the women belonged to a group that covertly engaged in lesbian sex and S&M. Palmer suspects someone in the group is the killer and must submerge herself in the women's sexual under world with Kittrie's help.

Yes, the plot is a straight to video exploitation standard. But the production values and the good perfomances by the leads make this a good watch.

I rather enjoyed this movie. I thought the acting was very good. It kept me alert, and thinking throughout. THIS IS NOT A FILM ABOUT lesbianism at all. What I do think, it has a lot more to do with "bondage" "s/m". If your looking for kinky lesbian sex, your not going to experience it here. However, if your looking for a movie that dabbles, in the minds of certain main stream adults who have hang-ups with sex and pain, then this may be entertaining for you. Ellen Barkin, was perfect for this role, her facial expression told her story before her mouth moved. yet you weren't quite sure if she was wondering out loud on the fact that she may like this alternative life style. Peta Wilson, also did a tremendous job in role playing in this film. Im serious wondering, why I havent seen her in more films. She was utterly convincing, and beautifully attired in this movie.

All in all a good movie, that I will view again in the near future.

It's completely refreshing to see a movie live up to its video store movie box cover hype. I hadn't heard of this movie so I didn't know what to expect. Mercy delivers in a big way. This movie about serial killings occurring among a group of S/M lesbians was thoroughly enjoyable and DEFINITELY watchable. The violence, blood, gore, nudity, and sex was served up splendidly. The plot, and the movie moves along at a nice pace. Ellen Barkin is, I think, one the sexiest women in Hollywood. Peta Wilson(from La Femme Nikita television series) is hot! hot! hot! I don't watch her tv series but now I just may start. Easily figuring out who the killer was was the only weakness of the movie for me. Otherwise, if you don't mind watching this type of movie then go and pick it up. You will certainly feel "guilty and pleasured", as one other reviewer put it. 9/10