Police detective Cathy Palmer (Ellen Barkin) leads the investigation on a series of sex murders of high class women. The latest victim's murder is called in by her friend Vickie Kittrie (Peta Wilson). Bernadine Mello (Wendy Crewson) has sex with her therapist Dr. Dominick Broussard (Julian Sands). Mary (Karen Young) is another sexually obsessed patient. Palmer uncovers a world of S&M for high status women involving Vickie.
As a crime mystery, it's a bit muddled. I do like the final confrontation. Mostly, it's too slow and too long which makes it not much of a thriller. Adapting from the novel may have left it too long. The nudity and the subject matter makes it erotic. Barkin is the big acting draw but she's not doing anything great. Wilson is doing her strong lesbian type. Sands is a weirdo as always. It's sort of like Basic Instinct with more nudity and without any iconic scenes. It's a real grind to listen to the dialogue and some of it struck me as pretty silly. It could have worked if it's shorter.
As a crime mystery, it's a bit muddled. I do like the final confrontation. Mostly, it's too slow and too long which makes it not much of a thriller. Adapting from the novel may have left it too long. The nudity and the subject matter makes it erotic. Barkin is the big acting draw but she's not doing anything great. Wilson is doing her strong lesbian type. Sands is a weirdo as always. It's sort of like Basic Instinct with more nudity and without any iconic scenes. It's a real grind to listen to the dialogue and some of it struck me as pretty silly. It could have worked if it's shorter.