Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, January 16, 1993 TAG: 9301160291
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHRIS GLADDEN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
MADONNA'S GUILTY OF BAD ACTING
With her kinky coffee table book, her titillating new record and now her starring role in "Body of Evidence," Madonna has become the world's most famous exhibitionist. "Body of Evidence" was controversial before it was even released because Madonna's willingness to do anything in front of a camera earned it an NC-17 rating, which has been reduced to an R. It's still lurid. But it's also as ridiculous as courtroom dramas get.And as far as Madonna's acting skills are concerned, the jury is no longer out. Madonna's are rudimentary, and the camera doesn't even love her when she's not tricked out like a Times Square working girl.
The movie's in trouble before you even get beyond its premise.
Madonna plays Rebecca Carlson, the young mistress of a much older man with cardiac disease. Her boyfriend is found dead, handcuffed to the bed with a explicit video of the duo's frolics playing on the VCR.
Joe Mantegna, a good actor in a thankless role, plays a prosecutor with such reckless disregard for his conviction record that he charges her with murder. He claims she intentionally set out to kill the old guy through sex in order to inherit his fortune; that her body is a deadly weapon; and that she's attempted to leave other gratefully dead geezers in her wake.
Meanwhile, Rebecca hires Frank, a lawyer played by Willem Dafoe. Before long, he's addicted to her S&M preferences. Instead of lipstick on the collar, Frank has burns on his chest, blood on his shirt and cuts on his back. He goes to the office every day and comes home looking like he's been hit by a dump truck, but his wife doesn't seem to notice.
In between the sexual episodes are some of the more unconvincing courtroom scenes on film. Director Uli Edel, who made the more noteworthy "Last Exit to Brooklyn," gives the movie classic film noir treatment, but he can't overcome the at-times laughable script. The material is ready-made for glib wisecracks - "your honor, the victim's fingerprints were all over the weapon." But writer Brad Mirman attempts to play it, I think, straight.
Body of Evidence: *1/2
An MGM release at Salem Valley 8 (389-0444) and Valley View Mall 6 (362-8219). Rated R for language, nudity and strong sexual content; 99 minutes.