Zandalee (1991)

Bored with her marriage to burnt out poet turned corporate executive Thierry, Zandalee falls prey to an old friend of her husband, the manipulative and egotistical Johhny and becomes ... See full summary »

Director:

Sam Pillsbury

Writer:

Mari Kornhauser

Stars:

Nicolas Cage, Judge Reinhold, Erika Anderson

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nicolas Cage	...	Johnny Collins
Judge Reinhold	...	Thierry Martin
Erika Anderson	...	Zandalee Martin
Joe Pantoliano	...	Gerri
Viveca Lindfors	...	Tatta
Aaron Neville	...	Jack
Steve Buscemi	...	OPP Man
Ian Abercrombie	...	Louis Medina
Marisa Tomei	...	Remy
Jo-El Sonnier	...	Bartender
Newell Alexander	...	Allen Calhoun
Blaise Delacroix	...	Pepe
Eliott Keener	...	Richard Norvo
Richard Greenberg	...	Bachelor Man
John Cutler	...	Groom

Storyline

Bored with her marriage to burnt out poet turned corporate executive Thierry, Zandalee falls prey to an old friend of her husband, the manipulative and egotistical Johhny and becomes enmeshed in a sensual, passionate and destructive affair. But it isn't only the flames of their erotic affair that are fanned by the steamy heat of the deep New Orleans nights; hatred, desire and revenge stalk the lovers' with a relentless precision, and for Zandalee, the moment of truth arrives with a terrifying finality.

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Plot Keywords:

poet | friend | white panties | female pubic hair | adulterous wife | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | Thriller

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Certificate:

NC-17

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 May 1991 (Germany)

Also Known As:

Deseo salvaje

Filming Locations:

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Electric Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Zandalee: [to Thierry while having sex for the first time in months] See, all our parts work.

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Connections

Referenced in Clerks: The Animated Series: A Dissertation on the American Justice System by People Who Have Never Been Inside a Courtroom, Let Alone Know Anything About the Law, But Have Seen Way Too Many Legal Thrillers (2000)

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Soundtracks

"J.P.'s T.C.B.'s"
Performed by Giant Sand
Written by Howe Geib & John Convertine
Produced by Howe Geib & John Convertine

User Reviews

Let Zandalee whet your whistle for a night

If you like nudity, I mean if you really, really, like nudity, this is one of the more frank nudist films I've seen. Some of it's nudity is naughty, for all you bird smugglers out there. Popular to belief, this is a bad film. It isn't. It's one of these arty, more unnoticed films, especially on Cage's resume. I've seen this film a lot. If you look past the nudity and appreciative helpings of sex, there is a story, but it's through this three characters in this love triangle, where for one, jealously goes beyond it's limit, another one, sadly in it's finale is a victim of circumstance I guess, while Cage, the other, in the end, is really the loser. He brings another crazy offbeat character that's mystifying in the form of a sleazy nude artist/university dropout/womanizer/part time magician, Johnny Collins. He's now back in the bayou working for his new boss, old school friend/gifted poet Reinhold, particularly good here, who speaks a southern accent, the way he delivers his poetry, he's just great. And so is his wife, Zandalee (Erika Anderson) not acting wise, just beautiful scenery. She doesn't even try to act, which must of been a worry. Joe Pantoliano, who almost trademarks character acting, is great as a cross dresser who works with Zandalee in her boutique. Soon Cage is getting in Anderson's pants, and it's almost as though Reinhold cracked onto this from the start, but you aren't sure, where he makes soft insinuations here and there, some through poetry. That's what I like about it, an incertitude, a scariness too, as what will Reinhold end up doing. Reinhold's a very tortured man of past, who gave the poetry up, as well as his performance in the bedroom, which is why Zandalee is drifting away from him and satisfying her sexual yearning from Cage in some pretty raunchy scenes. The prolonged last act of the film was interesting as that speedboat ride took a more than dangerous turn, but a real tragic one, evolved in the last breathing moments of the film, that was unforeseen, and truly climactic. For sex lovers, this one's sure not to disappoint, but there is more to this film than that, and that's not just in it's story. This is another of Cage's best performances among many. His name defines acting in it's true purpose, to take that character all the way, not be inhibited, something Nick definitely, isn't, in or off camera.