Salvami!

'Save Me' is a well-made psycho-sexual drama typical of the erotic thrillers made in the 90s. The film stars Harry Hamlin as Jim Stevens, a stockbroker whose life is falling apart when his wife's (Olivia Hussey) infidelity drives him into a marital separation he does not want. Stevens' life is also being made miserable by an inept and power-driven boss (Steven Railsback) whose illegal dealings threaten his job.

When by chance he meets Ellie (Lysette Anthony) his whole life changes, but as you will see, not necessarily for the better. He becomes obsessed with her, and she with him, but soon their sexual rendezvous become known to the other man in her life, Oliver (Michael Ironside), a psychiatrist with whom she is living.

The plot thickens when Oliver threatens Stevens and he becomes the target of assaults and attempts on his life by an unknown assailant. The plot twists and turns into a suspenseful surprise ending, and Stevens learns the bitter truth: an English rose of such unequaled beauty and charm has many thorns.

This film is characteristic of many 'B-titles' that have made the rounds on the cable circuit, only this one is also available in a unrated version that you won't likely see unless you rent it. There are some casting shortfalls not unlike 'B-titles' but the story itself is plausible and a good showcase for stunning Lysette Anthony, who easily mesmerizes the viewer into noticing little else in every scene she's in.

Wow, that was a terrific cast. Steve Railsback and Michael Ironside are just two of my favorites. Harry Hamlin also had a solid performance. But something was just missing, I can't quite put my finger on it. It's a decent story, the script was adequate. I did not find Lysette Anthony's very good, but not enough to drag it down.

But there was something just missing. Maybe it was just the lack of humanity in the characters. I never got the sense anyone cared, and when it's billed as an Erotic Thriller, it didn't seem erotic or thrilling. The scenery was terrific and Santa Monica looked beautiful, the cinematography was slick and professional.

With so much going for it, it should have been better. It just wasn't good enough.

I remember seeing the box cover for 'Save Me' on video store shelves back in the day. It was kind of hard to miss with the featured blonde's boobs popping out. Perhaps that's what kept me from renting this T&A flick because there's no denying that's what it is.

Jim Stevens (Harry Hamlin) is going thru a tough separation and on the spot at work to produce results. Then enters Ellie (Lysette Anthony) a random woman he's attracted to in public. She plants a note within his view with her number as she runs into Oliver (Michael Ironside). Later she tells Jim he's crazy, controlling and she needs his help. She also can't wait to jump Jim's bones.

Have you ever watched a film where a guy can't think with his big brain? Do you know what a red flag from a woman looks like? Taking a page from 'Basic Instinct' & other erotic thrillers someone in a high end car tries to run Jim down multiple times. Takes shots at him. Ironside is usually fun, but doesn't go over the top here. Bill Nunn appears as a police detective while Steve Railsback plays Jim's awful boss.

'Save Me' is the kind of flick I saw thru almost immediately. Maybe you will too. The acting is relatively decent and there's no denying Lysette is a gorgeous woman with an accent, but you'll have to decide if female nudity is enough to sit thru a rehash story with a dumb man & obvious red herrings.

No suspenseful music score would be able to save this trashy film and Harry Hamlin made this film just so he could have simulated sex with Lynette Anthony. That about sums up this piece of worthless cinema.

Erotic?

Jessica Rabbit has more sex appeal.

A Thriller?

Don Knotts in The Ghost and Mr. Chicken was more exciting.

Give this clunker a solid pass. Don't waste your time. I give it a less than stellar 4 out of 10 IMDb rating.

At the start of the movie, Jim Stevens has to explain to his young son Kenny that parents sometimes have to spend time apart. It's not that he and Kenny's mother hate each other, but he and Kenny both wish things could be different.

And if you were looking for a family movie, that is all you should watch.

Jim goes to a mall to buy a present for Kenny, and he sees this beautiful woman walk into a lingerie store. Ellie tries on a sexy teddy, and she actually walks out into the store still wearing it. Jim desperately tries not to appear to be a pervert.

Outside the store, Oliver shows up angry, and his behavior suggests that he abuses Ellie. Ellie writes a note with her phone number and the words "Save Me". Jim calls the number and Ellie suggests meeting at Santa Monica Pier. There, she explains that Oliver is the psychiatrist in charge of her mother's care, that she wants to break up with him, and that he will do anything to stop her from leaving.

Jim sells bonds for Barton and Robbins, and while he has made lots of money for them in the past, the company has been carrying him for a year and this has to stop. And on that day he had the talk with Kenny, Jim did show up late and dressed like a construction worker while everyone else was wearing nice suits. Barton seems to be on his side, but Jim's new boss Michael wishes he were in charge so he could just fire Jim. Jim refuses to go against his values, which Michael doesn't have. On what may be a related note, someone with Michael's values handles Oliver's money.

Jim's values are quite different where personal relationships are concerned. He doesn't seem to be formally separated from his wife, and yet what happens with Ellie makes this a forbidden romance/women in jep movie typical of Lifetime. Actually, we don't really see Ellie in jeopardy nearly as much as we see Jim running for his life.

Jim's friend Matthew offers help in solving the Oliver problem, and he has a cabin with a hot tub to which he invites Jim and Ellie.

The second half almost redeems the movie. There are some unexpected plot twists. Or, if you're the type who can see these things coming a mile away, lame plot twists. But I enjoyed them. Also a pretty good car chase.

Even if this wasn't any better than a typical TV-movie, Michael Ironside and Lysette Anthony give superior performances (well, for this material, anyway). I wasn't sure if it was just the accent in Anthony's case, but later I realized she was talented. Bill Nunn did a good job as the detective. Only one acting performance was truly bad: Steve Railsback as the evil boss Michael.

If you enjoy watching a woman just get undressed, there's a scene in the lingerie store that should make you feel cheap and dirty. Since the credits say "nude model", I have to wonder if the scene was redone for TV. I didn't see much of Ellie either, which I understand is a shame.

I wouldn't say good, only "good enough".