Catharine (Theresa Russell) is a black widow marrying rich old men and then killing them off. She changes her looks and identity after each kill. Her next victims are toy maker Ben (Dennis Hopper) and rich sociologist McCrory. Dept of Justice investigator Alexandra (Debra Winger) is examining the seemingly natural death of a mob-related guy. She notices that there are other similar deaths and the wives all look alike. Her boss Bruce (Terry O'Quinn) doesn't buy it but lets her investigate on her own. After McCrory dies, Alex follows Catharine to Hawaii with new adventurous man Paul Nuytten. Shin (James Hong) is the unhelpful weasel local P.I.
I really like the performances of the two actresses. I don't find Catharine's seductions that compelling and the movie doesn't need it. It's perfectly fine to keep that part mostly mysterious although Theresa Russell gets to show a little bit of skin. Alex's investigation is more fascinating with her trying to be one of the boys in an all-men's world. The investigation does lack tension since there is no mystery. The two women collide midway through the movie and the story changes into something else. The movie turns into a bit of mean girls drama and overwrought hardboiled tension. James Hong is funny. I'm not sure that it's dramatic enough but it seems to have fun with playing it over the top. It feels like style over substance at that point. Quite frankly, I'm not sure why there is the final sting or what it actually achieves other than a surprise twist for the movie.
I really like the performances of the two actresses. I don't find Catharine's seductions that compelling and the movie doesn't need it. It's perfectly fine to keep that part mostly mysterious although Theresa Russell gets to show a little bit of skin. Alex's investigation is more fascinating with her trying to be one of the boys in an all-men's world. The investigation does lack tension since there is no mystery. The two women collide midway through the movie and the story changes into something else. The movie turns into a bit of mean girls drama and overwrought hardboiled tension. James Hong is funny. I'm not sure that it's dramatic enough but it seems to have fun with playing it over the top. It feels like style over substance at that point. Quite frankly, I'm not sure why there is the final sting or what it actually achieves other than a surprise twist for the movie.