IMDb RATING
5.7/10
1.3K
YOUR RATING
In L.A., a young woman tries to uncover what led to the brutal murder of her old flame and who killed him.In L.A., a young woman tries to uncover what led to the brutal murder of her old flame and who killed him.In L.A., a young woman tries to uncover what led to the brutal murder of her old flame and who killed him.
John Stewart
- Tough Guy #1
- (as John Michael Stewart)
Víctor Pérez
- Tough Guy #2
- (as Victor Perez)
Mark Brandon
- Ben
- (as a different name)
Ruth Winger
- Betty's Mother
- (voice)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
For some inexplicable reason, critics find this film hard to follow. Actually, it's very coherent and surprisingly powerful. Debra Winger plays a bank employee who falls for her tennis coach, a young stud named Mike. When Mike is brutally murdered by drug dealers, Winger's character, Betty, is drawn into the L.A. underworld in her quest to find out why he was killed. What makes this film so great is its quiet realism. Most latter day noirs suffer from over-the-top plotting, mega-violence, and cartoonish effects. Moving by indirection and inference, MIKE'S MURDER skirts a hellish world rather than diving in, a narrative strategy that makes it eerily believable and deeply disturbing. Check it out.
Debra Winger in one word in this movie: WOW! She looks amazing. 80s hair and that beautiful smile make this worth watching in itself. The story is a good one (a drug dealing "boyfriend" that the bad guys kill and Betty getting dragged into the whole mess) and the acting is well-done (wait till you see Paul Winfield!). Decent mid-80s-type soundtrack with those kinds of tunes you heard once and forgot. And Debra Winger looking great! If you can't catch it on the cable movie channels, rent it. An inexpensive flash-back with no side effects.
My experience with this film differs from some of those who seem to be objecting to both the plot and the cast.
I thought the idea of a 20's something woman who immerses herself in a quasi-relationship with a person on the fringe of society to be interesting. Winger turns in a terrific performance. Part of the human experience or journey is that one encounters difficult moments in one's life - including anticipating relationships one wants desperately to work out.
Betty is in the unfortunate position of having to view Mike from afar as the latter is caught in a nightmarish world of drugs and deceit. I found Mike's drug partner in crime very compelling. One had a real sense of dread and doom as he tried to "make-up" for an irredeemable mistake. Paul Winfield is spot on as the record producer who has also suffered a loss.
All in all, what we have here is a subtle film which is compelling and which a typical focus group would probably pass over. One good example of why film producers and directors should stay away from them and let their artistic visions guide their actions.
I thought the idea of a 20's something woman who immerses herself in a quasi-relationship with a person on the fringe of society to be interesting. Winger turns in a terrific performance. Part of the human experience or journey is that one encounters difficult moments in one's life - including anticipating relationships one wants desperately to work out.
Betty is in the unfortunate position of having to view Mike from afar as the latter is caught in a nightmarish world of drugs and deceit. I found Mike's drug partner in crime very compelling. One had a real sense of dread and doom as he tried to "make-up" for an irredeemable mistake. Paul Winfield is spot on as the record producer who has also suffered a loss.
All in all, what we have here is a subtle film which is compelling and which a typical focus group would probably pass over. One good example of why film producers and directors should stay away from them and let their artistic visions guide their actions.
Seems like many films fall into this category- especially when they were not blockbusters, had an interesting plot, and do not conform to the formulaic Hollywood trend.
Debra Winger is very good in this film as a 20-something girl, living on her own, who soon gets in over her head. Mark Keyloun plays Mike, her tennis coach, with whom she develops an interest.
The backdrops of LA are interesting and mood inspired, as was the score- if it wasn't I wouldn't be remembering it right now. Brooke Alderson ("Urban Cowboy") also has a brief part as Winger's friend- who tells her to get out- get out of the relationship. Apparently Mike has ties to the drug world- and Winger's character is embroiled in the plot. There are also some interesting scenes with Paul Winfield as a corrupt record producer.
Watch this film. The story is film-noir, set in L.A. Debra Winger is excellent, as always. You will not be disappointed.
Debra Winger is very good in this film as a 20-something girl, living on her own, who soon gets in over her head. Mark Keyloun plays Mike, her tennis coach, with whom she develops an interest.
The backdrops of LA are interesting and mood inspired, as was the score- if it wasn't I wouldn't be remembering it right now. Brooke Alderson ("Urban Cowboy") also has a brief part as Winger's friend- who tells her to get out- get out of the relationship. Apparently Mike has ties to the drug world- and Winger's character is embroiled in the plot. There are also some interesting scenes with Paul Winfield as a corrupt record producer.
Watch this film. The story is film-noir, set in L.A. Debra Winger is excellent, as always. You will not be disappointed.
This is one of the most harrowing pictures I have ever seen. It is a very good and very underrated film. All of the actors do a great job in their roles and Darrell Larson gives an outstanding portrayal of a young man who inadvertently signed his own death warrant.
I only wish that this film was nominated for an Academy Award for best picture, best actress and best supporting actor.!!
If you have not seen this film, be sure and check it out--nerve wracking, nail-biting, and an edge of your seat film--you don't know what to expect from minute to minute.
One of the best films of any year!!
I only wish that this film was nominated for an Academy Award for best picture, best actress and best supporting actor.!!
If you have not seen this film, be sure and check it out--nerve wracking, nail-biting, and an edge of your seat film--you don't know what to expect from minute to minute.
One of the best films of any year!!
Did you know
- TriviaAfter the film's test screening tested really poorly, Joe Jackson's score was ultimately replaced by John Barry before its new release date in 1984. However in a very strange occurrence, Jackson's rejected score, and the songs he wrote and were left in the final film, was released by A&M Records around 1983. This would mark a very rare occurrence in that a film that was delayed without a release date would have a soundtrack released beforehand, let alone a rejected score.
- GoofsMike's cigarette changing of position in between shots during the car scene. First the cigarette is unlit in his mouth but during close-ups on his face the cigarette disappears, and when the camera changes to another position he's holding a half lit cigarette.
- SoundtracksWithout You
Written by Pete Ham (uncredited) and Tom Evans (uncredited)
Performed by Chaz Jankel
Courtesy of A&M Records, Inc.
- How long is Mike's Murder?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Mort d'un dealer
- Filming locations
- West Los Angeles, California, USA(Multiple locations: Sam's bus ride; Pancho's Mexican restaurant scenes, specifically 1550 S Wellesley Ave. Since demolished.)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $6,300,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $1,059,966
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $234,438
- Mar 11, 1984
- Gross worldwide
- $1,059,966
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