Black Widow (1987)
3.5/4
"Black Widow" is a functional thriller, an entertaining motion picture, and a nicely constructed story. It has fascinating themes - it's smart, well-plotted, entertaining, and challenging. The two lead actresses, Debra Winger and Theresa Russell, are very good, and the supporting players of the cast lend a big hand.
"Black Widow" follows an ambitious and hardworking FBI agent, Alexandra (Debra Winger). After realizing there has been an unusual string of deaths of older, rich men and a disappearing wife for each of them, a woman named Catharine (Theresa Russell). Alexandra is the only one who really believes in the case, because, after all, none of the men were classified as a homicide. So, she takes the case upon herself, and follows her around different locations, eventually meeting her in Hawaii. It's there she disguises herself, and becomes friends with her. As the film goes on, it becomes more and more interesting as Alexandra learns more about Catharine.
The movie's biggest strength is that of the theatrically unpredictable and fresh Debra Winger and the refreshing Theresa Russell. Both are spectacular, and the movie is totally worth seeing it because of that. The director, Bob Rafelson ("Five Easy Pieces"), does a fine job building suspense and intrigue. It's a very Hitchcock-like thriller, and at a level with his style because of the superb performances of Winger and Russell. I'd say the film's only flaw is the storyline, which has been done before. But the rest of the film is truly great, right up to the very last twist - which is a good one.
3.5/4
"Black Widow" is a functional thriller, an entertaining motion picture, and a nicely constructed story. It has fascinating themes - it's smart, well-plotted, entertaining, and challenging. The two lead actresses, Debra Winger and Theresa Russell, are very good, and the supporting players of the cast lend a big hand.
"Black Widow" follows an ambitious and hardworking FBI agent, Alexandra (Debra Winger). After realizing there has been an unusual string of deaths of older, rich men and a disappearing wife for each of them, a woman named Catharine (Theresa Russell). Alexandra is the only one who really believes in the case, because, after all, none of the men were classified as a homicide. So, she takes the case upon herself, and follows her around different locations, eventually meeting her in Hawaii. It's there she disguises herself, and becomes friends with her. As the film goes on, it becomes more and more interesting as Alexandra learns more about Catharine.
The movie's biggest strength is that of the theatrically unpredictable and fresh Debra Winger and the refreshing Theresa Russell. Both are spectacular, and the movie is totally worth seeing it because of that. The director, Bob Rafelson ("Five Easy Pieces"), does a fine job building suspense and intrigue. It's a very Hitchcock-like thriller, and at a level with his style because of the superb performances of Winger and Russell. I'd say the film's only flaw is the storyline, which has been done before. But the rest of the film is truly great, right up to the very last twist - which is a good one.