
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, October 21, 1995                   TAG: 9510230111
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: B-12   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: MIKE MAYO CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

`STRANGERS' IS FOR FANS ONLY

A simple test for moviegoers: Do you want to ride off with Antonio Banderas on his motorcycle?

If the answer is yes, go see ``Never Talk to Strangers.'' It's certainly the sexiest of his recent releases, with lots of black leather, tattoos and a picturesquely grungy loft apartment. He and co-star Rebecca DeMornay (who also produced) are the only reason to see this silly thriller, which is strongly reminiscent of ``Guilty as Sin,'' her last silly thriller.

This time she's Dr. Sarah Taylor, a shrink who's none too tightly wrapped herself. Tony Ramirez (Banderas) is the handsome stranger who picks her up one night in the wine section of the grocery store.

But who's trying to frighten her? Her drunken dad (Len Cariou)? The incarcerated murder suspect (Harry Dean Stanton) she's interviewing? The jealous neighbor (Dennis Miller)? Or Tony? And why?

Beyond a couple of fairly racy love scenes, nothing much happens. Veteran British director Peter Hall keeps the camera tightly focused on his two stars, but there's not much anyone could have done with the transparent material.

Expect this one to make a fast turnaround to the video store, and don't be surprised to see an ``unrated director's cut'' on tape.

Never Talk to Strangers

A Columbia TriStar release playing at the Salem Valley 8. 102 min. Rated R for subject matter, sexual content, nudity, violence, strong language.

by CNB