Die Frau, die zuviel wußte

A Roger Corman film. OK. I don't know why others whined over how the director is a better actor and how they'd expect others to do this film. So what? Roger Corman may have only been an executive producer of this flick but, having seen his name in the opening credits, this video didn't disappoint me. It is a competently assembled action movie. Theresa Russell looks good with clothes and without. Scott Glenn is entertaining fighting and drinking, and fortunately we only have to look at his bare butt once. It's too bad that the NSA's IMDb members have all voted against this fun film, just to protect their secret government jobs. Fortunately the rest of us IMDb members are too smart to be swayed by their evil conspiratorial campaign. And I didn't mean to suggest that Theresa is simply eye-candy; she can act, too. But, when we repeatedly get to see her naughty bits -- woo woo.

Some people look for meanings & messages everywhere. There are no messages here, just 2 very sexy people with very good chemistry fighting off those bad guys that are always out there. Nope, this movie is not particularly trendy, but it sure works, like an updated b-movie of old. This is real pulp fiction, not the pretend/pop kind. Railsback knows his stuff, & it wasn't learned in a video store.

As films go, this one is pretty average. It is my first time to see Scott Glenn and Theresa Russell acting. In fact, there are no highs or lows as any aspect of the movie goes. Storyline, acting, cinematography, etc. all average. In the cast of characters, however, there is a problem. See my comments of this movie, if you've viewed it.

Watch Spy/Dove closely. Yes, Theresa Russell, Scott Glenn, Alex Rocco, Lane Smith, Joe Pantoliano among others surely are accomplished actors deserving of finer material. But they made this film as Americans were being lulled into complacency. Some involved in Spy clearly weren't.

Today? Spy proves prophetic. Look at the story. Isn't the protagonist Cathy O'Brien by another name? Rogue G-men outsourcing wet work to thugs? Who'd have thought? Not many in '94. Today?

Glenn and Russell's characters find themselves in twisted new world swirling with predatory undertows albeit superficially bland. New realities buffet them like serial tsunamis. Though Glenn's character at first won't see it, his and Russell's are similar. It's how they'll survive in a world in which everyone betrays everyone else.

Joe Pantoliano should have received an award for his performance as smarmy chivato sociopathic lawyer. Yes, redundant. Sorry. His grinning socio-baiter defines lawyers in specific and societal cancer in general.

As a 'great actor', doesn't he make you want to reach thru the screen and throttle him? Did I say something 'intimidating'? Does my visceral analysis of Pantoliano's interpretation constitute a Thought Crime? Will I lose my rights to a false malicious Restraining Order obtained by greaszy larcenous thugs of the sort portrayed in Spy?

Yes, I'm being facetious and for good reason. Art prophesies Life in Spy/Dove. Don't we find ourselves in a not so brave world? Guilty until proved guilty? Ms. Russell's character opted out of the world. Scott Glenn's temporarily defeated character followed. His first step? Fearless demonstration of compassion by pursuing the purse snatchers.

Isn't it telling when G/Thugs witness a home explosion and presume their quarry to be dead? Nevertheless, they advance not so much cautiously as timidly, with guns drawn? Of what were they afraid? Their own treachery? Spy contains insights vital for survival.

Dr. Paul Vincent Zecchino

Manasota Key, Florida

06 October, 2006

"Truth leads a wretched life -

and always survives the lie."

• Cathy O'Brien

Am watching this right now...Theresa Russell as always is easy as hell on the eyes, all long blonde hair, eyebrows and attitude. She and Scott Glenn-same old Sam Elliott-ish rawboned guy from 'Red October' and 'Urban Cowboy'-are light years better than their material here.

They're in the usual spy/intrigue/bad film noir direct to video sort of jobbie that Theresa was stuck in for most of the '90s-Trade Off, Public Enemy#1, Impulse(a good one actually...)etc. You expect Shannon Tweed to be in movies like this, not the gal who did 'Black Widow', 'Razor's Edge', 'Insignificance' and 'Bad Timing'. Glenn has also done things like 'Silverado'-he has talent which is certainly not used here.

Good guys like Alex Rocco and Lane Smith walk through their roles, not much to work with and not much inspiration either.

** stars, for Theresa and Scott, but little else.