Review of Last Seduction, The (Special Edition)

Introduction

Bridget Gregory is one foxy mamma.

So it`s no surprise that her arrival in the small town of Beston attracts the attention of Mike, the local nice guy stud. What the poor fella doesn`t know is that the lovely Bridget is on the lam with a boatload of cash stolen from her highly unethical doctor-husband. As Beston becomes her tentative base while she avoids the heat that comes with stolen booty, Bridget sinks the hooks in, and in true black widow fashion, is soon roping Mike into her web - with a deliciously deviant scheme which could see all her problems disappear for good...

The sizzling siren returns in a special edition treatment of John Dahl`s sexually charged neo-noir, which saw Linda Fiorentino nominated for a BAFTA, and pick up both an Independent Spirit Award and an ALFS Award - Actress of the Year from The London Film Critics Circle for her role as a modern day Delilah.

Video

Presented in anamorphic widescreen (1.78:1), the DVD appears to have had no major overhaul in the cosmetic department, and as such, retains the grain of the original release.

The visual composition within the film itself is good - subdued lighting with smoky bars and moody townscapes at night are delivered well - blacks really are blacks. The few lighter, brighter scenes make a fine contrast.

Audio

Dolby Digital 5.1 - Snappy dialogue and a breezy Joseph Vitarelli soundtrack make full use of a surround sound set-up, but a stereo 2.0 option is also available, should it be your preferred listening.

**NOTE** There are no subtitles on the disc.

Features

Following on from an entirely bare-bones DVD, thankfully some significant extras have been drummed up for this special edition release.

Disc 1:

Theatrical cut of the feature.

`The Art of Seduction` featurette - A 30 minute montage of interviews anchored by writer Steve Barancik and featuring the director and the main cast.

`Behind The Scenes` - a short look at how several scenes were created.

Original Theatrical Trailer.

Disc 2:

Extended Director`s Cut of the film.

Director`s commentary.

Stills gallery.

An episode from the TV series "Fallen Angels", directed by John Dahl.

The set also includes a commemorative booklet, written by the author of, "The Erotic Thriller In Contemporary Society".

Conclusion

Dahl`s third crack at the femme-fatale whip after his 1989 debut "Kill Me Again" and "Red Rock West" in 1992, The Last Seduction is a bone fide, certified and hallmarked entry into the modern neo-noir genre. Punctuated by flourishes of humour and a gentle jazzy-blues soundtrack, it`s more than capable of standing alongside Body Heat, The Big Easy (1987) and their ilk as examples of how the classic film-noir genre may have gone, but lives on to inspire many a film-maker to create more than just another run-of-the-mill mystery thriller. Stand out in the movie is Linda Fiorentino, who`s performance certainly deserved the praise she received for her career-best turn in 1994. Oozing sexuality and with an acid tongue and wry wit, she provides an elegant alternative to that other great 90`s seductress - you know, the blonde exhibitionist with an ice pick fetish... It`s a real shame then that a lot of her good work here was erased the following year with a role in `Jade`, a terrible erotic thriller penned by `smut on the brain` Joe Esterhaus. Peter Berg delivers a frequently comic role as Joe-shmo nice guy who`s unable to resist the lure of the temptress, but is overshadowed by the scene stealing Bill Pullman as Bridget`s wickedly funny husband, who`ll seemingly go to any length to get his illicit cash back. Despite a few `Double Indemnity` inspired twists and the stellar performances, it`s hardly thrill-a-minute territory. But there`s certainly a degree of excitement that comes from watching the ease with which the wily seductress wraps man after man around her finger. They say men are fools - who am I to argue?

If you like your women cold and your stocking tops lacy, give this one a spin.