Lady Ice

Sultry O'Neill fresh from her career defining role in 'Summer of '42' plays the spoiled, enigmatic but emotionally aloof daughter of a wealthy British magnate (Magee, whose character disappears midway through the picture) being covertly pursued by tenacious insurance investigator Sutherland until she eventually succumbs to his easygoing charm.

Attractive cast, an array of classic fast cars (and some spectacular car chases) and location photography (Miami, Nassau) elevates a convoluted plot that requires close attention to follow. Duvall is solid as the special agent reluctantly co-operating with rogue Sutherland (who's only after his 10%), Cypher is O'Neill's overbearing fiancé and co-conspirator, whilst Braeden shows up late in the picture in what turns out to be a minor role as an international jewel launderer (he also momentarily looks at the camera in the scene where he's seen walking away from Sutherland following the pool encounter). Sharp eyes will also spot Dana Elcar in an uncredited appearance as one of Sutherland's employers just before sunset.

Despite likeable performances from the beguiling O'Neill, charismatic Sutherland and a fine score by composer Botkin, director Gries' high concept crime caper doesn't always seem to know its destination nor are the motivations of the characters always clear. O'Neill's character displays a highly uneven temperament which seems to be deliberate, but it does make her behaviour in certain situations difficult to fathom (I'm not sure what was happening in the scuba diving scene for instance). There's a scene in with she explains herself as being 'fragments' of different personalities which is perhaps reaching for some psychological explanation, but it's awfully vague. Anyway, despite being unusually complex to read, she's still a specimen to behold.

Jazzy and energetic, it's got all the elements to be a success, but sadly lacks coherency, and is tonally too erratic to fulfil its significant potential.