Love Crimes

This is by far my favorite film of all time. That's mainly because it's not afraid to delve into some very politically incorrect topics (such as spanking and female submissiveness) that other mainstream films are just too timid to touch. Nothing seems to be off-limits in this film as the director freely develops the story without any concern given to possibly offending the viewer. However, I don't think anything was done here purely for shock value or to purposely offend anyone. Sean Young turns in an excellent and courageous performance. Most established mainstream actresses would not have taken on this role or would have asked for some major script changes before accepting it. The other cast members do a fine job as well.

Have you noticed that this movie hasn't appeared on pay cable since an obligatory brief run a year after it hit the theaters? Have you ever wondered why? The obvious reason is that it just doesn't fit today's political atmosphere. It seems quite ironic to me that some premium channels now carry softcore porn (that's getting closer and closer to hardcore porn) but will not carry a mainstream movie like "Love Crimes". Sadly, even though this movie is only 11 years old, it could probably not be made today.

Right from the opening credits and the full-blown saxophone score accompanying them, you know what you're in for: a typical erotic thriller of the early 1990's - the most prolific period of the genre. It does stand a little above the crowd because of the ambiguous "villain" - is he indeed a villain or is he really just exposing and satisfying the hidden desires of these (admittedly gullible) women for mutual gain? And the fact that the film was directed by a woman and co-written by another adds an extra layer: are Lizzie Borden and Laurie Frank trying to tell us something about their own secret fantasies? Despite all that, "Love Crimes" never raises the temperature high enough, probably because of the two leads: Patrick Bergin is miscast as a smooth charmer (especially after just coming off "Sleeping With The Enemy" where he played Julia Roberts' abusive husband), and Sean Young is wooden - which actually fits her character at the start. The problem is that she stays wooden even later when she shouldn't be (she is also a little too skinny for my tastes in this one). ** out of 4.

This review is for the UNRATED version. The R-rated version would merit a *1/2 out of 4 rating.

Slick thriller about a female district attorney (Sean Young) who uses herself as bait to lure in a con man (Patrick Bergen) who seduces woman and then forces them to do inexplicable acts. Intelligent, extremely thought provoking with a perfect performance from Sean Young. Most people call her turn wooden, because most people have only seen the awful R-rated version which edits out some important scenes. Here, her aloofness works because the con man has traumatized her and forced her into a little girl state of mind. Young's turn is complex and underrated. Her tall body and ballerina build only make her performance all the more convincing. Patrick Bergen is also very good. Sure he may not be very handsome, but the women he picks up are plain looking everyday women that could easily fall into his trap. His smooth dialogue and mannerisms make this turn work.

Film also goes where most other films would not dare to go to. There is on screen fetish scenes (involving spankings and horses), full frontal nudity, and graphic sexual situations. All of this plays key parts to the story and move the action along. None of these scenes are done for just the thrill of it. The only thing that hurts the film is the rushed ending. It just doesn't cut it. For such a smart thriller one can only naturally feel extremely disappointed. The story is progressing and then boom the ending just comes out of nowhere. Still this is a noteworthy film worth watching.

Unrated; Graphic Nudity and Sexual Situations, Strong Adult Themes, Violence and Profanity.

District attorney Sean Young goes undercover to catch a crazed maniac (Patrick Bergin) who sexually humiliates and terrorizes women, fooling them by posing as a photographer. Naturally Young was a victim of child abuse herself and thus she becomes sucked in by Bergin's sick actions. Strangely there might actually be an attraction between the two leads. Now how sick could that possibly be? Soft-core trite the whole way here as director Lizzie Borden (who had minimal success with sexually-motivated productions and premium television programming in the mid-1990s) would rather get her performers naked and in compromising positions than tell a cohesive tale. Bergin and Young, two people that have never had any business in front of a camera, are not good enough players to give "Love Crimes" any substantiated success. Turkey (0 stars out of 5).

I had to view this film again, just to make sure I was reviewing the same film. Unfortunately, this film was made in America's matriarchal society.

This is the story of a man that puts women in touch with their inner sexual feelings. It is repeated several times that he has committed no crime. In fact, in Europe, this man would be admired, in America the reverse it true. This is a film about stalking and entrapment, and if you head isn't on backwards, you will understand the same person does both.

The worst thing about the film are the psychological flashbacks. Much like Marnie, but not as bad. This sort of passing blame to parents is unforgivable.

Sean Young and Patrick Bergen are seasoned B film actors, don't expect a big production. But the film is adequate to pass the message if you "get it".

If you like the drift of this film, a more sophisticated version can be found in "Night Porter" with Dirk Bogarde and even the original French version of "The Story of O". These European films treat the subject matter in a far more logical manner.