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Released by: Twilight Time
Released on: October, 2015.
Director: Bob Rafaelson
Cast: Theresa Russell, Debra Winger, Terry O'Quinn, James Hong, Dianne Ladd, Lois Smith
Year: 1987
Purchase From Screen Archives
The Movie:
Bob Rafaelson's BLACK WIDOW has always been a bit of a "twilight of the gods" sort of film. Made in 1987, this thriller represented the director's last serious tango with the studio system with a commercial film. And while it remains unfairly overlooked today, it certainly rings a few more bells than the man's later BLOOD AND WINE or MAN TROUBLE projects. Then there's the other old guard geniuses at work here: Conrad Hall - the brilliant cinematographer of IN COLD BLOOD is present and accounted for in his first project after a ten year hiatus. Michael Small - the criminally under appreciated minimalist composer who gave us the gripping MARATHON MAN and THE PARALLAX VIEW in the 1970's leaves his footprint. And this was also one of actress Debra Winger's last big featured starring roles before she seriously cut back on her work load.
Theresa Russell has discovered an interesting way to make a living. Marry rich men, poison them in such a way that you are nowhere nearby when they drop dead and then get out of Dodge. After procuring the proceeds of the generous provisions of the dead men's wills, of course. Russell's character uses a variety of different names and identities, and we are purposefully given no backstory on her. She's also quite the chameleon. Tacky Texas style floozy for hilariously crass toy magnate Dennis Hopper, shy rare coin expert for shy pasty Nicol Williamson: Russell knows more about disguise and deception than James Bond. And everything is going great guns with even the autopsies unable to prove her methodology. That is until genius justice department data miner/drone Alexandra Barnes (Winger) starts coming through crime reports and connecting the dots. But can she convince her boss to let her out of the cubicle and into the field?
BLACK WIDOW is a modern noir with a vintage soul trapped in 80's glitz. As writer Julie Kirgo astutely notes on the film's excellent audio commentary, this was the "Dynasty" era with its attendant tacky veneration of gauche fashion and the shallow one percent. But the story of the femme fatale itself is pure noir - and while Russell plays her part on the razor edge of camp at times she always remains convincing.
The narrative is gripping and the film immaculately shot. It is also a bit of a travelogue with Alexandra ultimately tracking her prey to Hawaii. The real strength of the film is in its characters however. Winger is terrific as the attractive but driven worker bee with no social life despite the various men in her life that desire her. Russell is alluring but blank in a carefully calibrated performance that hits just the right notes. And then there is the astounding supporting cast: Terry O'Quinn (THE STEPFATHER), James Hong (MISSING IN ACTION), Dennis Hopper (EASY RIDER), Dianne Ladd (CHINATOWN), Lois Smith (MINORITY REPORT), Leo Rossi (HALLOWEEN II) and famed nutter Nicol Williamson (EXCALIBUR). Hong in particular is quite memorable as an utterly sleazy private eye, and Rossi is a hoot as a pathologically sexist police detective.
But this is ultimately the Winger and Russell show. Both women carry the film with aplomb and put the lie out to pasture (still trumpeted in certain quarters today) that the "ladies" can't carry a film. They most certainly can - it's all in the writing and acting. One of the interesting facets of the film is that Winger's character lacks sexual confidence despite being lovely in a completely natural way whilst Russell is more obviously "sexy" but quite fake. Winger's character ultimately does get her passions awakened by a kind of skeevy European hotel magnate in one of the film's stranger tangents. Carefully plotted, beautifully filmed and brimming with sharp performances, this is an effective and enjoyable thriller with a few layers to it.
Video/Audio/Extras:
Twilight Time's 1.84:1. framed AVC encoded 1080p presentation hits all the right notes. Black levels are appropriately deep and overall fine image detail is strong. The color palette looks natural as well - which considering some of the strange set designs like the office with green windows - is a notable feat. Age related damage is minimal and there are no signs of digital tweaking. This looks filmic and sometimes stunning (the scuba and Hawaii sequences). Audio is covered by a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 that is robust and well balanced. Michael Small's great score - with its Bernard Hermann touches - sounds wonderful.
There is a theatrical trailer, some TV spots and an isolated score track included. But the best extra is the audio commentary with writer Julie Kirgo and film expert Nick Redman. These two are probably my favorite working commentary team today. Redman's naturally relaxed style interacts perfectly with Kirgo's analysis. The amount of information here is impressive: Redman knows a lot about the state of the studio system at this point in time, Rafaelson's career and gives an interesting summation of Russell as an actress. Kirgo talks about the sexism of the era (and sadly today's as well), and gives us her perspective on the female characters. The feeling you get is two experts having an intimate chat. The fact that these two both have beautiful speaking voices helps too.
The Final Word:
Unjustly overlooked. I thoroughly enjoyed this clever and well made thriller. Combine a solid Twilight Time AV presentation with an excellent audio commentary and what have you got? A solid RECOMMENDED.
Click on the images below for full sized Blu-ray screen caps!
