FINAL ANALYSIS (director: Phil Joanou; screenwriters: Scott Frank/story by Robert Berger & Wesley Strick; cinematographer: Jordan Cronenweth; editor: Thom Noble; music: George Fenton; cast: Richard Gere (Dr. Isaac Barr), Kim Basinger (Heather Evans), Uma Thurman (Diana Baylor), Eric Roberts (Jimmy Evans), Keith David (Detective Huggins), Paul Guilfoyle (Mike O’Brien), Robert Harper (Alan Lowenthal); Runtime: 125; MPAA Rating: R; producers: Paul Junger Witt, Tony Thomas, Charles Roven; Warner Home Video; 1992)
“Slick thriller.”
Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz
Phil Joanou(“The Veil”/”Gridiron Gang”/”State of Grace”) directs this slick thriller. It’s based on a story by Robert Berger & Wesley Strick. Scott Frank writes the not so engaging screenplay. Only through the efforts of the quality cast is the awkward plot salvaged.
San Francisco workaholic shrink Richard Gere begins a steamy affair with the married Kim Basinger, who is the older sister of his patient Uma Thurman. Kim decides to leave her Greek gangster husband, Eric Roberts, who is a psychotic sadist. Things naturally go violent, and Gere becomes the prime suspect in a murder.
Lenser Jordan Cronenweth highlights a photogenic San Francisco, making you almost want to lose your heart there. The double-crosses should keep you entertained with the melodrama up until the end.
REVIEWED ON 3/12/2016 GRADE: B-
Dennis Schwartz: “Ozus’ World Movie Reviews”
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