Black Widow

Incredibly frustrating thriller sets up a dynamite premise (with two leading ladies willing and able to take the screenplay's bull by the horns) and runs it in to the ground, achieving the difficult task of being both unconvincing *and* predictable (with a truly strange "twist" ending). Russell and Winger's electric chemistry, and a top notch supporting cast (including a nice bit from Hong as a skeezy PI), are enough to maintain interest and provide a tantalising idea of what might have been.

Disappointment. Worth watching for Winger and Russell tho.

Score based on distant memory.

Fun. Decent script--totally worth seeing just to watch the sparring between Debra Winger and the wonderful, underrated Theresa Russell.

Okay, run of the mill thriller about a female federal investigator getting obsessed by a woman who she only believes is killing of her rich husbands with solid performances of Debra Winger as the obsessed, emotionally closed off investigator and Theresa Russell as the chameleonic titular black widow.

Em honra de Bob Rafelson (1933 - 2022). Eu esperei 30 anos para ver esse filme pra isso? Absolutamente genérico na narrativa, com alguns momentos de grande inspiração na fotografia do Conrad Hall, mas muito domesticado em geral. Como alguém disse, deveria ser mais gay e inventarem uma máquina do tempo para a Jane Campion dirigir essa estória. BlurayRip RARBG.

Not bad.

Weirdly inert, with a slog of a first half. Why are we watching Winger's character doggedly prove what Russell's scenes are laboriously demonstrating? The closest thing to tension is our master criminal turning into a 12 year-old hiding cigarettes from mama the second one of her hubbies finally brings up the subject of a background check. It's not Russell's fault--I have no doubt that's how she was instructed to play it, but it's hokey as shit. As is the way she's lit, the "donation" scene esp.

Theresa Russell comes off as a shallow, plastic manipulator able to kill and steel serially without looking back. Investigator Debra Winger traps her in her game.

This is quite good, and also a bit different than other 80's thrillers, as it gives both main roles to women. So, instead of the usual "femme fatale seduces a male lawyer/cop/etc." scenario, it's a battle of wits between Winger and Russell. Rafelson's direction is effective, and he puts his locations to great use, but either he's not a fan of explanatory scenes or the editing is a bit off, as you need to pay attention to keep up. Ending is also a bit abrupt and feels like a compromise.