Tacky murder-mystery has a twisted con-man romancing the daughter of a wealthy business tycoon shortly after murdering her lookalike sister. Writer-director James Dearden completely revamps Ira Levin's 1953 novel (even more so than the 1956 movie version starring Robert Wagner and Joanne Woodward), but the changes are less effectual and the lead performances by Matt Dillon and Sean Young unconvincing. Dearden gives the violence a visual jolt, and the movie may well pass muster for those searching for something to watch on a dull weekend, but it's incredibly sloppy around the edges. Young (in a dual role) is so determined to be taken seriously as an actress that her archness mitigates the camp-lasciviousness of her persona (she might have been slinky or kinky, but settles instead for starchy). Tellingly, this was the actress's last starring role in a major production; Dillon's career managed to survive. *1/2 from ****
Review of A Kiss Before Dying
