Dick Wolf, writer and producer best known as the creator of immensely successful television franchise Law & Order, tried to make his name on the big screen, but results weren’t that impressive, at least judging by his script for Masquerade, 1988 thriller directed by Bob Swaim. Protagonist, played by Meg Tilly, is Olivia Lawrence, young heiress who became one of the wealthiest persons in America following the death of her beloved mother. She is deeply affected by tragedy and also has to share some of her wealth with her stepfather Tony Gateworth (played by John Glover), obnoxious drunk and gambler. She spends most of her days in the posh beach town of Southampton, Long Island, where she meets Tim Whalen (played by Rob Lowe), handsome yachting captain. Whalen came from the humble background but his good looks allow him to mingle with rich and famous and, among other things, have torrid affair with his boss’ wife Brooke Morrison (played by Kim Cattrall). Olivia falls in love with him and two of them start romantic relationship that would get complicated with incident that escalates into murder. While dealing with aftermath, Olivia receives help from Mike McGill (played by Doug Savant), young local policeman who was her best childhood friend and carried torch for her over the years.
Obviously inspired by film noir and Classic Hollywood thrillers, Masquerade works best in the first part, when we are introduced to the characters. When the plot begins develop with series of surprise twists, film begins to suffer from cliches, including melodramatic and predictably violent ending. Bob Swaim, one of the rare American directors to make career in France, on the other hand, does a solid job in this production that would ultimately become his last Hollywood film. Relatively light content is elevated with few steamy sex scenes and Swaim’s direction underlines physical attractiveness of the cast, which includes Lowe, Savant and Cattrall. There are two major factors that elevate this film above mediocrity. First is an excellent acting performance by Meg Tilly who plays character of young woman, who despite all her material wealth, feels vulnerable and desperately wants true love. Tilly is quite successful in evoking audience’s sympathy for her character and making this film look interesting, despite lack of proper chemistry of Lowe, who here plays one-dimensional hunk. Another thing that makes this film easy on the ears just as it is easy on the eyes is effective musical score by John Barry, which, in many ways, sounds like his noirish work in similarly-themed Body Heat. Inevitable comparison between two films would overwhelmingly favour Body Heat, but Masqurade, which successfully suppresses its flaws with short running time, still can be recommended for fans of romantic thrillers.
RATING: 5/10 (++)
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Movie URL: https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/41963-masquerade Critic: AA
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