Customer Reviews

A Passion to Kill [VHS]

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At first sight, David (Scott Bakula) and Diana (Chelsea Field) were immediately attracted to each other. Unfortunately for them, Diana was recently married in secret to David's best friend, Jerry (John Getz). However, it's not long before their marriage starts to crumble, and Jerry soon approaches David to run interference since David is a psychiatrist. Of course, David "reluctantly" gets involved, knowing better, but his hormones cloud his judgment.

Shortly after David and Diana's affair begins, Jerry is murdered, and the two prime suspects are Diana and Beth (Sheila Kelley), a friend and former girlfriend of both Jerry's and David's. The suspicion is mainly focused on Diana since she had attempted to kill her first husband, Ted (Rex Smith), in the first scene of this movie. She claims it was self-defense, but could it just be a homicidal pattern? Or could the possible killer be Beth, who may still have feelings for David, even though they split up years ago and are now "just friends"? Could she be jealous enough of his relationship with Diana to kill Jerry and frame his wife?

Despite the run-around, Jerry's killer is pretty obvious; in fact, you don't even have to watch the entire movie to know who it is--just read the tag line. But aside from that, "A Passion to Kill" is one of the few halfway decent B-grade erotic thrillers I've seen in awhile. The acting's pretty good, and I especially liked Sheila Kelley's character.

There is quite a bit of sex/nudity (at least on Chelsea Field's side) than violence or danger, and it's not as bloody as most psycho-killer movies go, though there are a couple stabbing scenes. But if you like low/medium-budget racy dramas, then "A Passion to Kill" is certainly worth watching at least once.

This film is a whodunit, soft-porn, whatever. David (Scott Bakula) and Jerry (John Getz) are best friends since school. They have always been competative. They share a long-time friendship with Beth (Sheila Kelley), who dated them both when they were in school. Now, all of them are just plain old ordinary friends. Then enters Diana (Chelsea Field) who married Jerry on a singles-cruise, without David's or Beth's knowing. Diana is one mixed-up piece of work. Jerry asks David to "talk" to Diana (David is a psychiatrist), get to the source of her erratic behaviour. David is hesitant, and seeks the advice of a fellow psychiatrist, Louise (France Nuyen); who advises David that he is playing a dangerous game with his "help" with Diana. But...he falls head-over-heels (and other body parts) in love with Diana (someone else they share, without Jerry's knowing). Jerry received some very interesting informaton about Diana from someone from her past. He is not amused. Next thing you know, Jerry is murdered. David should have taken heed of his friend's advice. Diana is a prime suspect. But suspicion also falls on Beth, who is still in love with David, hoping that they would someday get back together again. David suspected Beth because be believes her to be obsessive with him, thinking that she is jealous of Diana; as well as a rather a damning clue he discovers. He is aware that Diana is quite capable of killing, and wishes otherwise. The storyline is okay, but I found the sex-scenes a bit gratuitous. I like Jerry, Beth, and Louise the best; as well as the two policemen, friends of Beth.