Paul Schrader directed this made for cable film for writer Joseph Dougherty, who also wrote the original film Cast A Deadly Spell to which this film is a sequel. Dennis Hopper, an oddball actor if ever there was one, stars as a private detective in this oddball film about 1950's Hollywood, McCarthyism, crooked politics, and the hypocrisy surrounding it all. Hopper investigates the murder of a woman's husband while everyone around him utilizes magic of some sort. He consults with a seer who points him in the right direction, and the seer, in turn, winds up on trial for being a witch. The gag being everyone else seems to be using magic as a means to an end.
The film stars Penelope Ann Miller as Kim Hudson whose husband is...ah... murdered in a most unorthodox fashion. Hopper, as H. Phillip Lovecraft, is on the case investigating when a parallel plot with politician Eric Bogosian unfolds. Viewers end up with an uneven allegory of the times portrayed. The highlights of the film are the art and set direction, despite some of their anachronistic elements, the costumes, and the dialog. The Noir-like touches are nothing new for Schrader, but the comedic dialog (complete with Hollywood in-jokes) is definitely new and interesting territory for a Paul Schrader film. The film is above average for cable television, has several sight gags, clever scenes, and laugh out loud moments, but it ultimately loses some steam before the fadeout. **1/2 of 4 stars.
The film stars Penelope Ann Miller as Kim Hudson whose husband is...ah... murdered in a most unorthodox fashion. Hopper, as H. Phillip Lovecraft, is on the case investigating when a parallel plot with politician Eric Bogosian unfolds. Viewers end up with an uneven allegory of the times portrayed. The highlights of the film are the art and set direction, despite some of their anachronistic elements, the costumes, and the dialog. The Noir-like touches are nothing new for Schrader, but the comedic dialog (complete with Hollywood in-jokes) is definitely new and interesting territory for a Paul Schrader film. The film is above average for cable television, has several sight gags, clever scenes, and laugh out loud moments, but it ultimately loses some steam before the fadeout. **1/2 of 4 stars.