Lady Beware

It is hardly believable for most of its running time, but at least it keeps you watching. It begins when Lane sort of pushes her way into a job as a window dresser. This was the second film of '87 to feature one following the Andrew McCarthy comedy "Mannequin" (this one is even replete with a flamboyantly gay co-worker, too). But, ooh boy, is this a much different movie. Lane's gutsy and provocative displays get her noticed in good and bad ways, one of which is by a perverted x-ray technician, played by Woods. First we get the typical stalking; she's followed home; he steals her mail; harrassing phone calls. But at one point the perv scales the wall of her apartment/loft, takes a bath, and does something rather gross to one of her nighties. All the while talks to the police are mostly kept off-screen an d Lane keeps putting up with everything. Which, again, is one of the many implausible elements of the film. Only in movieland would the victim accept the challenge and begin playing cat and mouse games with the wacko. Plus the MANY unintentional laughs, like Woods dancing around her place in a bathtowel, him doing a Spiderman impression by climbing down the side of her building on a rope so he can break in, and Lane cursing her mirror while she repeatedly spits on it. The ending is a downer, too, kind of a letdown. Though different, it's mostly ineffective. And what the hell happened to Smith's character? All of a sudden he's dropped and never mentioned again (I'm sure he didn't care considering that love scene he got to do with Lane, hubba hubba). I must say the performances are there big time. Lane, aside from being absolutely gorgeous, which is saying nothing of her eye-popping (among other things, hehe) topless shot, really conveys her loss of freedom. At times the stuff she spouts is a little over the top, but is delivered nice enough. And if Woods is indeed James Woods brother, talent is definitely in the bloodline. His characters' only mis-step is not being more agressive with Lane. Early on she talks suggestive to Smith on the phone, appearing to be open sexually about herself (which is also indicated by her window displays). But Woods approach is more scary, which just makes her pissed. This was one of only a few good movies from the quickly defunct Scotti Bros. before they withered away and is too bad. Though pretty much unknown, it's a decent little thriller.

A young woman trying to prove herself in the world of window dressing. Her very erotic imagination leads to great success and recognition in her career. Unfortunately, one of those observing her windows is an obsessed stalker. Through twists and turns this psychological thriller will keep one on the edge of his seat and possibly even aroused.

The only reason to watch this movie is to see Diane Lane naked. There are 4 or 5 scenes where you, along with the stalker and her lover, get to see Diane's breasts and beautiful body. Basically the movie sucks! Diane's character is a sexually frustrated working woman who gets stalked by an admirer who is very disturbed. She has an erotic dreams about her work and bathes in her studio apt. with no shades. She gets bothered by the stalking and can't really have sex with anyone she's seeing. She almost does after stripping down for her lover, but can't quite do it. Oh, well. You still got to see this outstanding actress shed her clothes. That's the only reason to watch this one.

Despite some plot implausibilities and a mildly excessive running time, this is an interesting erotic thriller that will maintain your attention with its solid acting and its straightforward directing. The villain here is a married man and a doctor, which only makes the contrast between his "normal" life and his perverse side much more sharp. If you're looking for a thriller centered on sexual fixation, this may not be your only choice, but it is among the good ones. (**1/2)

Katya Yano (Diane Lane) arrives at Horne's department store in Pittsburgh and convinces the owner to give her a job as a window display designer. "Your window displays are so boring," she says. She succeeds when she sets up the store mannequins in sexually provocative and kinky poses. Some folks are outraged like the fellow who screams "You can see her crotch." Of course it's just a mannequin. Anyway, the stores' sales dramatically increase. Meanwhile, there is an erotic dream sequence by which Katya has sex with a male mannequin who comes to life. Later in real life she exposes her ample breasts to her lover, Mac Odell (Cotter Smith). Along the way Mac Odell somehow disappears from the movie and never reappears for the denouement.

The attention arouses the passions of Jack Price (Michael Woods), a lab technician who becomes obsessed with the vulnerable single woman who lives downtown in a loft apartment in an older, spacious brick building. Price continually harasses the young woman by making obscene telephone calls. He also breaks into her apartment and sniffs things. Somehow the police are powerless. Despite the constant stalking, Price has not been a murderer, and there are no killings as 1980s movies like "Dressed to Kill" (1980), "Dead Aim" (1987)," and "Night Game" (1989).

Eventually Katya decides to fight back on her own. No spoilers are provided here, but there are two strange scenes along the way. One shows the stalker somehow getting on top of Katya's building and using just a single rope manages to squeeze through an open window to enter Katya's place. No one notices anything. The other scene shows Katya, alone and unarmed, purposely confronting Price at night in the city. No backup? What was she thinking? It is true that the constant stalking has distressed her, but her action is off the wall. All in all, though, the movie never loses interest.