This was one hard-edged erotic thriller that is full of high octane suspense and international intrigue set in the tropics of Jamaica where anything happens and to expect the unexpected. "Kla$h" tells the story of a world-weary photographer,played by Giancarlo Esposito,who falls into the clutches of a beautiful dancehall girl and a world of crime,deceit and murder. Anyways,Esposito's character named Stoney comes to Jamaica to photograph the KLA$H,an electrifying battle of the world's best reggae and dancehall bands.
His ex-lover Blossom(portrayed by Jasmine Guy in a riveting and electrifying performance that is worth seeing and is a totally different change of pace from her days as Whitley Gilbert from TV's "A Different World" and the performance that is unbelievable to behold) is a sexy star of the dancehalls and is also the mistress of a gang kingpin Mister Lee(Lucien Chen). Every criminal in Kingston has their eye on the box office receipts from the KLA$H,including Mister Lee whose own thugs plans to doublecross him and steal the money from under his nose while in the meantime,Stoney and Blossom's old chemistry ignites,including their sexual scenes and bits of nudity where Guy's character is totally nude,Stoney finds himself entrenched in Blossom's plan to steal the cash for herself and escape the ultraviolence of Kingston forever. There is never honor amongst thieves,and the stakes become dizzying high as the police,lead by Lieutenant Loveless(played by Cedella Marley,the daughter of reggae musical legend Bob Marley)quickly closes in before it's too late.
This was in fact one of the best Jamaican dramas I've seen in a long time and the best since "Dancehall Days",and the days of Jimmy Cliff's "The Harder They Come,The Harder They Fall". However,the riveting performances from Jasmine Guy and Giancarlo Esposito are especially good and this movie is worth seeing. The musical acts that are featured are some of the hottest reggae dancehall groups assembled and features performances from Shabba Ranks,Capleton,Patra,Prince Midas,Beanie Man, Snow,Bounti Killa,Ninja Man,Steel Pulse,Shaggy,Born Jamaicans and so much more.
