Customer Reviews

Mike's Murder [VHS]

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Running neck-in-neck perhaps with her work in Black Widow, this is Ms. Winger's best performance to date. Low-key and a little bit rambling, the movie's portrayal of an ordinary woman's descent into the L.A. drug culture makes you feel uncomfortable and squirmy. I hated the film when I first saw it back in 1985; yet something about it stayed with me, got under my skin, wouldn't let go --until in 1990 I rented the video, and realized "Oh my god, this film is a masterpiece." It's odd, slow and expectation-defiant. Favorite moment: Winger, alone at her piano, hovering over an out-of-tune key because the sound brings back what she liked best about Mike.

Contrary to Mr. Maltin, the late director James Bridges never made a finer movie than this in his all-too-short career.

Such an ubderrated film!!! Not to mention the debacle around its 1984 production when the MBA's at Warner made Bridges recut and trim down the violence because some yuppies girls sniffing nosecandy in a Walnut Creek bathroom during screening broke down crying saying things like "How do they expect us to go on after seeing this?!!!" They told Bridges they would not release his film unless he made the young cokeheads feel more safe, so he spent $200,000 to recut and reshoot portions of the (still) remarkable film so that he could give it to us, then, darn it, he up and died a few years later!!!

Anyway, this film has a GREAT score by JOHN BARRY with additional songs by then famous Joe Jackson.

It is an accurate a picture of the seediness of amoral 'I will kill you for money' vibe in L.A. as anything I have ever seen.

There are stellar performances throughout. Winger is simply the best of the 80s here. Mark Keyloun (what happened to him???) shines as goofy, loveable, stupid Mike.

The cinematography (like Body Double of the same year, methinks) captures the numbing glare and seductive light of Los Angeles, the sense of ALWAYS BEING IN A CAR or ON A PHONE and rarely having any direct contact with the people you desire most (isn't that what fuels that place, though?).

Cannot recommend this thriller/character study enough for anyone who enjoys a peek at how the uninitated get destroyed, and how places like L.A. destroy them.

Oh yeah, this film bravely slams everyone equally. It's democratically un-PC.

I had to throw my two cents in on what is probably one of the best films I've ever seen. I remember seeing this film late one night, and being glued to the set. While it is a thriller, it also plays well as a character study. Whoever owns the rights to this should put it out ASAP! Included cut footage, and include a documentary about how poorly this film was treated upon it's release. If you can find a copy on video tape, I implore you to give this cool little film a look. You'll be glad you did.

This film is thoughtful, engaging, intriguing and mysterious. Debra Winger is both innocent and dangeriously loyal to herself and her friend, Mike. Anyone who has ever tried to save someone they love, or seeks answers to the sudden, tragic loss of that someone, will identify instantly with Winger's character.

Absolutely brilliant film. I saw it over 20 years ago, and it still haunts me. If it had been made in France or Italy, it would be taught in every film school in the country. Think "True Confessions," or "Salton Sea," or "Chelsea Walls." An underappreciated American masterpiece.

This movie is currently being released by warner Brothers Home Video through their website, Warner Archives. It is an official release, but has not been digitally remastered. Still, it looks and sounds great, even on my blu-ray player. Only downside: Warner Brothers list price is $19.95, plus tax (in CA) and shipping. There are no extra features. Even then, $24.00 for a beloved movie that will probably never see the light of day in any other format is better than nothing.

Finally, a widescreen DVD! and a good one. Still the cut version and with no extras (except for the prevues, which includes a clip from the actual murder itself, which was cut after the first 2 days of original release, along with a few other minor deletions). I was fortunate to see the film on the day it opened in Hollywood; was surprised at the obvious cuts made during the 3 days before I went back to see it again. These cuts do not "hurt" the film in any way, but naturally we all hope that someday someone will oversee a restored, intact letterbox DVD release with lots of "extras". A haunting film, mysteriously overlooked...

This is one of the best films made in the late 1980's. Debra Winger is fantastic in this remarkable films. I loved it when I frist saw it then later it turned up on tv but was never a hit. It well should have been a top film at the time and has since become a classic to a lot of people. Great acting, the photography is top notch and love the music score. It is finally on DVD thanks to the new Warner Bros. Archive Collection so a must own for a lot of fans.
This one is a winner all the way!!

Mike's Murder [VHS] first captivated me when it arrived on the big screen. And then I had to have it to add to my growing movie collection.

Whenever I need to be reminded of the seamy side of life, I pull this one off the shelf.

Debra Winger shines as a loyal girlfriend who puts up with almost complete neglect by her occasional boyfriend, played by Mark Keyloun.

An intermittent drug dealer, Mike tugs at our heartstrings with his charm and that little-boy appeal. We still root for him despite his flaws and foibles.

When he is murdered (not a spoiler, since this is in the title!), Debra's character, Betty, is determined to find out exactly what happened. Even though her pursuit leads her down a dangerous path.

This film which I think came out in 1983 is one of my all time sentimental favorites. I found out about this movie because of Siskel and Ebert. Roger Ebert gave this movie a great review on his show "At the Movies". I took his advice and this movie has stayed with me for over 25 years. I tried to find it at the video store for years but finally located it on Amazon about 2 years ago.
Debra Winger was at her all-time best as Betty the young woman who meets a guy that she falls for and can't get him out of her heart despite his unpredictable and sporadic attention. Debra was so convincing in this role because of the small things she did to portray her vunerability and need to try and rescue Mike. The scenes where Betty is wating patiently for Mike to call her to confirm the date he promised earlier in the day are heartbreakingly real.
The soundtrack to the movie is superior and both enhances the suspense and drama as well as the piano theme that portrays Betty's character.
Everytime I watch this movie I remember everything about my life when I first saw it and how I knew a girl just like Betty and how much I miss her.