anthonyfeather

If you aren't a diehard Vanity or Michael Nouri fan, I'd have to tell you not to bother with this movie. For those of you who are fans of Michael Nouri and Vanity, my review is for you: Vanity plays a woman with a past who has revised her life through a new faith. This storyline is similar to her real life, which was fascinating to see her portray. Vanity is a sideline character, supporting the hero (Joey Travolta) in this film. Her clothes are sober and in character, so you won't see the sexy flash and glamour of her other roles. She does have a musical performance in this movie, which is weak and should have been trimmed for time. That's hard for me to say, because I am her biggest fan. You deserve the truth, though. Michael Nouri is always fun to watch as the villain (no matter how bad the movie), because he's great looking and stylish. The hero (Joey Travolta) in this vendetta justice type story has a band of buddies, Vietnam Vets, who assist him in his search to find his sister's killer. Sad to say, this band of buddies are the most embarrassing part of the movie, I had to fast forward past their scenes. Painfully weak performances.

Review dedicated to the "Vanity" fans out there, who now know her as Evangelist Denise Matthews. She plays a heroin addict, songstress named Sydney Ash. Once again, she plays a role that is similar to her situation in real life. Carl Weathers, a rogue cop who doesn't play by the rules, seeks her out as part of his research on a killer. Vanity glows in this role, and turns in a better performance than she gave in "The Last Dragon". It's not just her incredible beauty, which has been her calling card. There are moments in her performance where you see real depth and growth in her acting, and a promise of better performances to come. She held closely to her persona sex kitten formula after The Last Dragon, and we see it here to. We'll never know if she could have improved her craft, since she has become a born again Christian, vowing never to work in Hollywood again. She has a musical number, and you will not be disappointed. I recommend this movie as being fun, reckless and entertaining. I'm not an action movie fan, but I liked this movie. There were silly moments, but nothing too painful or embarrassing to watch. If nothing else, see this movie for Sharon Stone before she was "SHARON STONE". There is steamy female nudity for the obvious lead ladies, and blood and violence. If all that appeals to you, see this movie!

Those of you who remember Morgan Fairchild in "Paper Dolls" as "Racine" will note how similar she is in this role. She's a beautiful model agency owner. Imagine that? What a stretch. She looks lovely behind the desk contemplating sexy bad girl deeds while tapping her glamour length nails on the fancy desk. It's been done before, many times. Vanity plays, lets face it, herself. She walks about in dazzling hot outfits, she looks beautiful, she's sassy in her double-entendre way. Unfortunately, those things aren't enough to invest a movie's worth of time to watch this stinker. I saw this movie at the Mann Chinese theatre in Hollywood. Even so, the theatre's historic aura wasn't enough to keep me happy to be there. I wanted to leave, but I stayed, hoping for something original to happen. I waited, and waited... There is no Vanity song performance in this movie, sadly. There is an illusion referred to in this movie, thus the title. I wasn't deceived, and I wasn't surprised. I remember the luster of Morgan Fairchild's image during the 80's. If you are a die hard Vanity or Morgan Fairchild fan, rent the movie to say you have. If not, don't bother with DUD-ly Illusion.