Crimes of Passion |  | Director: Ken Russell
Actors: Kathleen Turner, Bruce Davison, Gordon Hunt, Dan Gerrity, Anthony Perkins
Studio: Starz / Anchor Bay
Category: DVD
List Price: $24.99
Buy Used: $6.00
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Seller: previously-enjoyed
Rating:  32 reviews
Sales Rank: 115876
Format: Color, DVD, HiFi Sound, Letterboxed, Widescreen, NTSC
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 90 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
ISBN: 6304847262
UPC: 013131033397
EAN: 9786304847268
ASIN: 6304847262
Theatrical Release Date: October 19, 1984
Release Date: May 13, 1998
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Amazon.com
The crazy man of British film, Ken Russell (Women in Love, Whore), hit the apex of guilty-pleasure absurdity with Crimes of Passion, a dark if pointed (and ultimately poignant) walk on the wild side. Although this schizophrenic, neon-blurred traipse through the red-light district of Los Angeles, courtesy of hooker and guide China Blue (Kathleen Turner), never made much money at the box office, it still managed to eke out a cult following. Barry Sandler's script felt a lot like a play with its rather stilted (but furiously funny) dialogue between Turner and Anthony Perkins, who plays an obsessed and crazed stalker/reverend who believes he is China Blue's savior. Their story is contrasted against that of Bobby Grady (John Laughlin), who is married to the materialistic Amy (Annie Potts). After taking a second job as a private investigator for a dress manufacturer who thinks his lead designer, Joanna Crane (Turner again), is selling patterns to a rival, Bobby becomes mired in a netherworld he never imagined. But it's Bobby who becomes Joanna/China Blue's true savior; it seems Joanna's husband cheated on her and she created the alter ego, China Blue, in order to control her world by making men dependent on her sexuality. The facade cracks after Bobby hits the scene. Russell's film is bawdy and even daring, and the unrated version on DVD features a couple of scenes (one with China Blue, a cop, and his nightstick, as well as some flashes of pornography) that were not included in the film's original release. Also for die-hard fans, Sandler originally ended the script at a more ambiguous place in the climactic scene in Joanna's apartment. An "epitaph" with Bobby at an encounter group was added to appease the distributor, who wanted a more upbeat, "Hollywood" conclusion. Sandler's original idea gave the film a real wallop, but despite the change, Crimes of Passion remains an original camp classic. --Paula Nechak
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 32
One of the most provocative of the 80's February 1, 2010
T. Donoghue (Earth)
This movie is a must see for any film lover. It is such an amazing piece of work, granted it is dated with that look of the 80's that will make many cringe or laugh out loud.Regardless that is part of the allure of the film as it draws you into the world of the three main characters. The subject matter is just as topical now as it was then, maybe even more so with the advent of the internet, reality television and our addiction to voyeurism and pornography.
There are many layers to this film, Ken Russel's direction, the cinematography,the screen play, the score, which is even more advant garde seeing it so many years after it was first made, and of coarse the actors. If you are fans of Kathleen Turner and Anthony Perkins, and who isn't?, then you will be blown away.
This is easily Kathleen's best film work and really no other American actress has ever shown such intimacy and duality in the sexuality of her character, it is compelling, enthralling and heart breaking.Plus you feel a connection to her because of her vulnerability that she develops as the movie unfolds.Finally her comedic timing is hilarious, yes there are plenty of laugh out scenes in this film too.
As for Mr. Perkins he is just off the charts and in many ways this is such an honest and raw performance for him, I mean he confronts so many social taboos in his character, that he becomes the mirror for the hypocrisy of sexuality in modern American society. It is more worth considering that for Anthony, and the life he lived, this makes his portrayal even more personal and a highlight of his career.
The commentary with Ken is awesome, it is too bad he could not stay for the entire film.
 Ken Russell in top form September 29, 2009
Omnes
After having some big problems with his movie Valentino, which he considered a piece of trash, Ken Russell made two of his most fascinating films for the United States. The first was Altered States and the other Crimes of Passion. In Crimes of Passion, it definitely is, like a precedent reviewer said, a plea for honesty as we witness an art designer spending several night hours as a prostitute called China Blue. Then as she meets a dangerous minister and falls in love with one of her clients, her secret identity starts to shatter.
Though I do not want to reveal more of the story, I can say that the soundtrack, composed by Rick Wakeman the keyboardist of the british group YES, really does an amazing job adapting and remixing Dvorak's "New World" symphony. Not only does it reminds of Ken Russell's trademark of using famous classical music for his movies, it also, adds on to Ken Russell's movie which denounces the hypocrisy of the American Society and breaks its idyllic illusion.
A great job from all the cast and the crew. One dvd Ken Russell's fans must see for it is in its uncut and uncensored director's version.
crime September 12, 2009
Stephen S. Connaway (wichita, ks. usa)
Ho Hum nowhere as good as it could have been. I really can't recommend this one.
 Horrible July 2, 2008
Francois Rossier (Nanticoke, PA USA)
I bought this movie because I like Kathleen Turner. Wow, she's got to be embarrassed looking back on this clunker. Did some high school senior write and direct this thing? It's clumsy, has no real storyline, and it's not even erotic. The acting is mediocre, too, by today's standards. About a half hour into the movie I got the idea that it was not going to get any better, and I had to force myself to watch it to the end. At least the video was crisp, which brings me to another point. Somebody goes to the trouble to clean up this piece of crap, yet there are good movies out there (All of Me, Roxanne, Cabaret, Another Woman, to name a few off the top of my head) that deserve remastering, yet are not. I don't get it.
 Some movies don't age well November 24, 2007
Ian Kaplan (Livermore, CA)
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
I recently watched the movie "Chinatown". The movie is truly a classic. As much of a pleasure to see now as it was when I originally saw it in the theater.
While not in the same class as Chinatown, I also recently saw "Bodyheat" with Kathleen Turner. Turner's beauty and the classic noir nature of this film make it ageless.
Unfortunately "Crimes of Passion" didn't age well for me. I found that the film felt dated and sexist in the way Turner's character is portrayed. Some people who have reviewed the film here found the film's "analysis" of relationships fascinating. I found it depressing and naive. The idea that a prostitute is going to fall in love with a client because of he has passionate sex with her is sophmoric.
I wanted to rent this film, but I couldn't find it at the local Blockbuster. After buying it, I've put in the box for the used bookstore (which also sells used DVDs).
Showing reviews 1-5 of 32
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