If Looks Could Kill

Filmed in 1998 for television, this is a B picture version of DeCaprio's CATCH ME IF YOU CAN. Written by Peter McCabe and directed by Sheldon Larry, they had the good sense to cast Antonio Sabato Jr. in the leading role. Don't know why this actor doesn't get more grade A films. Every scene he's in, you can't take your eyes off of him. He charms his way in and out of every relationship he can, from straight to gay, to get ahead. In supporting roles, Brad Dourif, as his partner in crime, turns in a fine acting performance, along with David Keith (stellar in OFFICER & GENTLEMAN) who does what he can in a one dimensional role as the detective out to get his man. I tuned onto this film by mistake and couldn't turn the TV set off, because of Sabato. He's gorgeous!

This movie is a nice thriller you will enjoy watching on TV ,and is apparently based on a real life story of insurance scam.It is pretty OK and bearable ,much better than lot of big budget dull fares ,I must say. Antonio abato Jr is quite impressive as the conman he plays in this movie.In fact he must have been relatively y young when appearing in this movie.I think personally he does a great job.The guy playing Gene hanson is also really awesome,I think he plays his part very convincingly . I personally think John walsh should not himself have appeared in the movie.The whole Americas most wanted thing getting repeatedly shown in the movieis little more than overdone .

This film is great. The acting is amazing, especially by Maury Chaykin and the wonderful Brad Dourif. It is definitely worth seeing, especially if you're, like me, a fan of Brad Dourif, which is honestly the only reason I started watching this film, but once it had started I couldn't turn away.

There are,anyway,some things that make this film worth watching :(1)Dourif;(2)some thrilling scenes (e.g.,the noxious Doctor and "Hanson" roasting surreptitiously their victim while he is made an ECG).Dourif's role is done with neatness.

This picaresque and educative tale about 2 rabid and greedy swindlers has its moments of suspense;I enjoyed this average,unambitious and prosaic stuff,and liked (as always,enormously) Brad Dourif's extravagant ,keen and sharp performance.He must be one of the most gifted and also conscientious,dedicated actors ever.

If Looks Could Kill (1996) is filmed journalism.

Dourif is one of the most insulted actors.Insulted by being underused,casted in so many cheap unsuccessful flicks,etc..Yes, but Dourif is undeterred;I admire his artistic robustness.I consider him an excellent landmark of professionalism,and a wasteful one.His performance in If Looks Could Kill (1996) is immensely nuanced,a masterpiece.So much ardent inventive talent,wasted on banal movies.His performances always sweep the board.His cameo in "Trauma" is so moving.(But Dourif is not alone to be treated like that;the great,trenchant Dennehy is a similar case;see him in "Silverado" (1985) --unmatched,unerring!)

If there will be one role that Antonio Sabato, Jr. will be forever identified with it will be that of John Hawkins, bisexual conman and conspirator in a scam that involved murder. If Looks Could Kill is one of the films that shows how America's Most Wanted helped capture this illusive criminal with John Walsh himself making an appearance.

Sabato's portrayal of Hawkins with his infinite charm and looks casting a spell on men and women has to be one of the sexiest male performances on record, big screen or small. That scene in the airplane restroom with a female conquest will send most in the audience seeking a cold shower or some other kind of relief.

Hawkins was the third man involved in a con that had his business and current sexual partner Brad Dourif impersonating a man that he and third member of the plot Maury Chaykin killed. Chaykin killed some innocent they selected after verifying he had no family. Then with some plastic surgery Dourif took the dead man's place while the dead man was identified as Dourif. A hefty insurance policy was paid before questions were asked.

Dourif and Chaykin are caught, but Sabato eludes police and charms a lot men and women into helping him get away and live high on the hog in Europe. Detective David Keith never gives up and coverage on America's Most Wanted, a show that should never have been canceled helps in the hunt.

It's a good film and at least one scene with Sabato, the one I mentioned ventures ever so lightly into soft core porn. But Sabato will never have a better role and the film is the story of a good and successful manhunt for one elusive man.