Playing House

A genre from the 1990's that no one misses very much is the "erotic thriller" inspired by the likes of "Fatal Attraction" and "Basic Instinct". A recurring story in these films is a step-daughter/sister-in-law/ex-wife/secretary/temp/ maid/babysitter/ad infinitum seducing or trying to seduce the husband of a married couple and when that doesn't work out, turning into a complete psycho nutcase and murdering several people--and usually a beloved family pet. Well, this is a new one only in that the psycho is the girlfriend of the husband's friend, who is himself staying with the newly married couple as a houseguest. Thus, the movie starts out as already highly implausible.

Of course, the girl (Mayra Leal) quickly loses interest in the friend and turns her wanton attentions to the doctor husband. In real-life she could have easily done a lot better than either of these two douchebags, but of course she also happens to be a psycho who has already killed a former boyfriend. So it is left mostly up to the wife to defend her home from this evil seductress.

Mayra Leal is mostly known for a small role in "Machete", a role which she performs entirely in the nude, which gives a good indication of where her true talents lie. But she's not TERRIBLE as far as actresses in this genre go (the 90's genre eventually just turned into plot less softcore porn). And Leal does more nude scenes here, making this movie less worthless at least than the bigger-budgeted "Obsessed", which gave us an interracial twist, Beyonce trying to act, and just to add insult to injury, Ali Larter NOT getting naked. This movie at least works as a tame version of a 90's erotic thriller. But does that mean it's worth watching? Uh, not really

"I really do love you house, it's amazing. I want it." When newlyweds Mitch (Welzbacher) and Jen buy their first house they have trouble paying the mortgage. After asking Mitch's best friend Danny to move in they think they will have the time of their lives. When Danny brings home new girl friend Blair (Leal), the lives of all take a drastic turn. This is a strange movie to review. The movie itself is actually pretty good and makes you feel tense almost all the way through. The Blair character is very creepy (think of Sharron Stone is basic instinct, but more psycho.) One huge problem with the movie is that the acting is so bad that it almost distracts from the movie. Some of the scenes are a little over the top, but they fit the movie. For a B rate horror movie with no known actors this is actually a pretty pleasant surprise, just don't expect to see them in a lot of stuff (I wouldn't be surprised to see the girl playing Blair to be on an MTV reality show though, she is a few steps above the "Jersey Shore" but definite "Real World" material.) Overall if you can get past the acting this is actually a very good thriller, one of the better ones in a while. I give it a B- (the - because of the acting).

Would I watch it again? - I don't think I will.

*Also try - Basic Instinct & The Roommate