Mike's Murder (1984)

Director:

James Bridges

Writer:

James Bridges (writer)

Release Date:

9 March 1984 (USA)

Genre:

Mystery

Tagline:

The mystery that led her into a world of incredible danger.

Plot:

Betty has a crush on her tennis coach Mike. He keeps on promising to call, but never does - she doesn't know that he's a little dealer...

Plot Keywords:

Neo Noir

Cast

Debra Winger	...	Betty Parrish
Mark Keyloun	...	Mike
Darrell Larson	...	Pete
Brooke Alderson	...	Patty
Paul Winfield	...	Phillip
Robert Crosson	...	Sam
Dan Shor	...	Richard (as Daniel Shor)
William Ostrander	...	Randy
Gregory Hormel	...	Kid Drug Buyer
John Stewart	...	Tough Guy #1 (as John Michael Stewart)
Víctor Pérez	...	Tough Guy #2
Mark Brandon	...	Ben
Ken Y. Namba	...	Sushi Chef
Ruth Winger	...	Betty's Mother
April Ferry	...	Bosslady

Runtime:

109 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:16 | UK:18 | USA:R

Company:

Skyewiay

Trivia:

This was the first project Debra Winger did after An Officer and a Gentleman (1982). After a poor reception from preview audiences, the ad campaign was changed, the soundtrack music was replaced and the film was re-edited. It was eventually released in 1984 after Winger had a hit with Terms of Endearment (1983).

Quotes:

Philip: You want to know everything? Well, believe me you don't. This was an enforcement killing. I mean they were making a statement.
Betty: What statement?
Philip: Are you the girl with the, uh, C scale out of tune?

Movie Connections:

Featured in Los Angeles Plays Itself (2003)

Soundtrack:

L.A.C.A.

Funny how good films get attention 15-20 years later;

Seems like many films fall into this category- especially when they were not blockbusters, had an interesting plot, and do not conform to the formulaic Hollywood trend.

Debra Winger is very good in this film as a 20-something girl, living on her own, who soon gets in over her head. Mark Keyloun plays Mike, her tennis coach, with whom she develops an interest.

The backdrops of LA are interesting and mood inspired, as was the score- if it wasn't I wouldn't be remembering it right now. Brooke Alderson ("Urban Cowboy") also has a brief part as Winger's friend- who tells her to get out- get out of the relationship. Apparently Mike has ties to the drug world- and Winger's character is embroiled in the plot. There are also some interesting scenes with Paul Winfield as a corrupt record producer.

Watch this film. The story is film-noir, set in L.A. Debra Winger is excellent, as always. You will not be disappointed.