Il gioco della vedova nera

This is a classic example of mass produced television entertainment. Other than Elizabeth Berkley, these are all unknown actors and it shows.

The plot involves a newspaper photographer who is in love with a millionaire bachelor who thinks she is just a friend.

Along comes a knockout woman, apparently a rich donor who sweeps said bachelor off his feet. Photographer is jealous and begins to investigate the knockout and uncovers lot more than she ever expected.

The plot is so predictable that I bet you can figure out what happens just from the little I have told you.

I just can't understand why writers and producers think that this kind of pap is worth an hour and a half of anyone's time. Granted, we didn't have to pay for it, but shouldn't they at least try to be creative? Unless you like the spectacle of actors speaking cringe-worthy lines and struggling to keep from breaking down with laughter, then this is a must to avoid.

However, if you like tried-but-true plot lines that you've seen a million times, then grab a beer and bag of popcorn and enjoy.

In Dallas Texas, a well-built man disrobes and takes a steamy shower for the cameras. He is joined by a seductive woman. After a nap, the man is shot dead. Three years later in Malibu, California, another muscular young millionaire meets alluring blonde Elizabeth Berkley (as Olivia Whitfield). Apparently, this woman makes a habit of marrying millionaires who get themselves killed off - leaving Ms. Berkley a wealthier and wealthier "Black Widow". This time, however, handsome victim Randall Batinkoff (as Daniel "Danny" Keegan) has a concerned female friend who decides to investigate the whirlwind courtship...

The other woman is "LA Post" photojournalist Alicia Coppola (as Melanie "Mel" Dempsey). We suspect she has what Berkley calls "unresolved feelings" for Mr. Batinkoff. This gives Ms. Coppola the chance to show some of the best acting among the leads; her reaction shots improve the others' performances. The only other thing of note is Berkley's cleavage. Director Armand Mastroianni is unable to build any mystery or suspense, but he gets TV Movie-level skin in. Possibly, because the last dead body moved too much, "Black Widow" was reedited and re-released as "Dark Beauty". Wisely, they rejected "Black Beauty".

**** Black Widow (2/21/08) Armand Mastroianni ~ Elizabeth Berkley, Alicia Coppola, Randall Batinkoff, Adriana DeMeo

The story was somewhat unbelievable particularly as it was set more or less in present day, i.e. use of internet and cell phones. So the 'baddies' in my mind would have never have been as 'successful' as they were made out to be in this film.

This film would have received a lower vote had it not been for the final goof at the end, at the pool scene, which made me reconsider and therefore upped it to a 3 for the sheer clumsiness of the cutting room editor. Or perhaps was this deliberately left in??

How this scene got through the cutting room is beyond me? However, it made for a great laugh for what I would consider a predictable TV film.

I am surprised by the overall rating of 5.5.

This was apparently released in 2007, then re-cut and re-released in 2008.

It is a workable "journalist picks up story and tries to protect her friend from a Black Widow" storyline.

Alicia Coppola as the journalist does a decent job following the threads. Her longtime male friend does a good job as the "blinded by love" potential next victim.

The investigative phase is more-or-less plausible. Creative use of a Blackberry sets the timeframe. I am always amazed by how quickly a cellphone call connects in an American film!

The climax and denouement are efficiently handled, saving our heroine. This film helped to pass an afternoon spent ironing this week's laundry.

This film only received 15% on Rotten Tomatoes but I thought it was worth a 9 out of 10 spot. I thought the acting was a very good cinematography was beautiful and I highly recommend this one