I remember when this film was originally released. At the
time I was becoming interested in director Ken Russell and his works. But
seeing this one the first time I felt like it wasn’t comparable to the films
he’d made I enjoyed. Watching it this time around I appreciated and enjoyed it
far more than that first viewing.
Kathleen Turner, fresh from her success with ROMANCING THE
STONE, stars as China Blue aka Joanna Crane. Crane is a well-established
fashion designer by day but when night rolls around she takes to the seedier
part of town and becomes China Blue, a prostitute with a kinky clientele and a
peeping tom neighbor named Peter (Anthony Hopkins), a self-proclaimed preacher
who finds himself drawn to her while condemning her at the same time.
Into both worlds is thrown Bobby Grady (John Laughlin). The
owner of the design studio Crane works at thinks she might be selling designs
to a competitor and he brings Bobby in to investigate and prove if she is doing
so or not. Bobby follows her and discovers her duel identity, watching as she
handles her clients. Involved in a marriage with a frigid wife, Bobby finds
himself aroused by Crane’s night time persona.
Eventually Bobby confronts her and the two fall in love. Or
is it lust? They sleep together with the question of who is selling the designs
still out there. Obsessed with her, Bobby puts his career and his marriage on
the line as he frequents the room of China Blue more often. At the same time
the preacher is also becoming more obsessed as well, with the intent of doing
something drastic to cleanse the soul of this woman he sees as the ultimate
sinner. The odds of both storylines clashing are pretty good.
There were several things that made this move stand out at
the time of its release. First and foremost was the sexuality on display here
with a then high profile actress like Turner in the lead role performing
somewhat explicit sexual acts (for that time) on screen. In today’s world they
wouldn’t seem so but in 1984 they were controversial. But Russell was used to
that and sometimes it seems he courted that controversy in his films on
purpose.
The second was that Russell used Perkins to play the role of
the preacher. Having spent most of his career trying to peel himself away from
his association with killer Norman Bates, Perkins is once more playing a
killer, although a different sort. Along with Turner his performance here is
intense and frightening. In his case due to his maniacal feelings leading to a
release of rage. In her case it is a role of a woman longing for love and
settling for lust instead yet still hopeful.
The film has a seedy feel to it but that is on purpose. The
story draws you in once the initial shock wears off (the film opens with Turner
receiving oral sex while pretending to be a beauty queen making her acceptance
speech). You begin to feel for all of the characters involved. It’s an odd
combination of repulsion and compassion that mix together to make it an
interesting tale.
I’m sure if you read what I write you’re tiring of hearing
my praises for Arrow Video. Sorry but they are becoming the best at what they
do, presenting pristine copies of the movies they handle with some of the most
interesting extras. The film is presented in a crisp 2k restoration from
original film materials. Extras include an audio commentary with director Ken
Russell and producer/screenwriter Barry Sandler, seven deleted scenes with
commentary, a new interview with Sandler made for this release, home movie
footage of Russell visiting in Florida for a retrospective screening of the
film, the theatrical trailer, a reversible sleeve with new commissioned artwork
by Twins of Evil and an illustrated booklet.
If you are a fan of director Ken Russell you’ll want to have
this in your collection. The same goes for fans of Kathleen Turner. It is worth
seeing at least once but come prepared. This is not for the faint of heart nor
the easily offended.
Click here to order.
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