Fresh and Exciting

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

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

Neurotic Nancy (superbly played by Genieve Bujold) gives advice to the lovelorn in Los Angeles over the airwaves of her popular radio program under the guise of husky-voiced talk radio host Dr. Anne Love. Nancy rents a room from sultry bar owner Eve (a marvelous performance by Lesley Ann Warren), who doesn't know that Anne is Dr. Love. Both Nancy and Eve become involved with charming mysterious drifter and pathological liar Mickey (a terrific and charismatic portrayal by Keith Carradine), who's a mental hospital escapee with an enigmatic past. Writer/director Alan Rudolph deftly concocts an utterly intoxicating seriocomic cinematic meditation on the constant pursuit of love, lies and deception, the complexities of human communication, and the disappointments of romantic relationships. Moreover, Rudolph does a masterful job of creating and sustaining a deliciously smoky and jazzy retro 40's film noirish romantic atmosphere that's significantly enhanced by the throbbing and sensuous bass voice of Teddy Pendergrass on the soundtrack and Jan Kiesser's beautifully glowing neon-lit cinematography. The uniformly first-rate acting from a tip-top cast constitutes as another substantial plus: Bujold, Warren, and Carradine are all wonderful in the leads, with sterling support from Rae Dawn Chong as frustrated would-be poet Pearl Antoine, Patrick Bauchau as Pearl's smooth heel husband Zack, and John Larroquette as smitten bartender Billy Ace. One of the key pleasures of this smart and sophisticated adult entertainment is the clever, crazy and surprising ways the characters' lives continually intersect throughout the intricate and unpredictable narrative. Better still, there's a genuine freshness and spontaneity evident throughout that's a true joy to behold. Granted, the languid pacing and quirky tone take a little getting used to, but this film overall casts an extremely enchanting spell that's impossible to either dislike or resist. Highly recommended.

Alan Rudolph's second best film (just after Welcome to L.A.) is a jazzy mood piece with romance, rhythm, superior acting and a driving force behind it. That's why R. Altman had this guy working for him. Genevieve Bujold at her most vulnerable and intelligent, Leslie Ann Warren, with real sex appeal and moxy, Keith Carradine his most relaxed since Nashville, Rae Dawn Chong peppy, flirty, and valuable with T.P. music letting them all ride down that street of Eve's Bar.I don't know anyone who's seen this who didn't dig it. With all the junk movies of the 80's, this is right there. Surprise ending, out-of-synch acting styles that blended (SCRIPT and DIRECTOR helping) that is like an ocean breeze on a Saturday night. You just never know!

Simply my favorite film and one of the main reason I entered the business. It exist in a world of its own, so do not view it comparatively to what you think it should be. Let it be what it is and hopefully you will enjoy it as much as I do every time I see it.

This film has always struck a special chord with me, although not all of the friends I've recommended it to over the years have liked it. I think you have to be a city person who's gone through some hard knocks in love to really embrace it. The scenes featuring Rae Dawn Chong aren't so special...(she's the weakest link)...but the scene where Bujold chats with Carradine after sex while getting dressed for work, the scenes with Dr. Love on the radio, the scene where Warren comes home from work to find that her roommate has stolen her boyfriend...these all have an immediate, bittersweet quality that's very haunting. Overall, the acting is flawless, and the whole film is an original. I only wish it were longer.