Jade (1995)

Powerful

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

This came out when I was 22, and just like Basic Instinct I wanted to see it for all the sex scenes / naked women because at 22 and 19 (Basic Instinct) that's kind of all you're into at that age. Let me just say that I loved both for that reason back then and re-watching both today I love them now for everything else. I love the cop / investigating aspect of the movie and the cinematography is excellent. The acting is excellent by all the actors, the car chase scene was great, the creepy / dark ending back in the house from the very beginning of the movie was great as well. There is a certain group of movies that have a similar look and feel to them that are in my guilty pleasure movies list and this is one of them. I've only seen the theatrical release but just today ordered online the director's cut so I'll be watching a version soon that has about 12 extra minutes and I've heard it changes the ending from a get away with it type of deal to a get arrested instead type of ending. Looking forward to it.

A wealthy art collector (and admirer of world leaders Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher and Richard M. Nixon) is murdered in his San Francisco mansion. Due to repeated chops with a hatchet, there is an abundance of blood. Along with many pricey artifacts, the dead man has an amply supply of sex paraphernalia. His most prized possession appears to be a collection of his partners' pubic hair. Four hours later, red-haired assistant district attorney David Caruso (as David Corelli) is at a dance attended by still sexy old flame Linda Fiorentino (as Anna Katrina "Trina" Maxwell). He still longs for her, but she married best friend Chazz Palminteri (as Matt Gavin), a rich defense lawyer. Employed to investigate, Mr. Caruso finds a cuff-link at the murder scene. Curiously, he decides to withhold it from other collected evidence...The cuff-link is from "The Golden Bay Club" where Caruso and Mr. Palminteri are members. Also discovered is the murder victim's collection of pornographic pictures. Most importantly, there are photographs of California Governor Richard Crenna (as Lew Edwards) with a young prostitute. Caruso confronts Mr. Crenna with the dirty pictures and is threateningly told he has a future in State politics comparable to Jerry Brown - a line they must regret, as Mr. Brown is presently serving an historic term as Governor. Everything seems to come together in an intriguing web of sex, mystery and murder. But, by the end, "Jade" proves looks can be deceiving. This is a puzzle with pieces shoved into place, by director William Friedkin. He shows the usual skill with car chase scenes, but doesn't make this story coherent.***** Jade (10/13/95) William Friedkin ~ David Caruso, Linda Fiorentino, Chazz Palminteri, Richard Crenna

Well, everybody probably knows how erotic suspenseful thrillers used to be in 90's, and this movie is no exception. As every movie with such specific subject, "Jade" begins with a main suspect of committing a murderer. In this kind of movie, sometimes he turns out to be the real killer, whilst in other times, it is someone we'd never expect. Trina had everything to be the murderer out there; I strongly thought so when she said "ask that girl if I'm jade", since I believed she already knew that girl was dead and was playing fool. Unfortunately, this movie doesn't have tension scenes to develop a remarkable movie, being too light most of the time. In the last scenes we have a distinct reference to 1980's "The Shining", whether William Friedkin admits it or not. It is, all in all, an entertaining film in every aspect, but never truly gives what you might wish for a suspenseful night.

Another thriller which borrows from "basic instinct" -af if there were something to borrow there- ,wich accumulates cardboard characters ,clichés,show off and a lot of "risqué" scenes.I've never liked Friedkin's films ,not even the so-called masterpieces such as "l'exorciste" -I had a good laugh watching it.He even remade Clouzot's "le Salaire de la Peur" !One must take risks! An exotic atmosphere in a desirable mansion is the main asset of a movie which blends sex galore,cars chase (in the "Bullitt " tradition" ),politics,animals' rights ,lectures on the basic instinct (by Linda Fiorentino),and the de rigueur "ambiguous" ending.