China Moon (1994)

User Rating:

5.9/10   

Director:

John Bailey

Writer (WGA):

Roy Carlson (written by)

Release Date:

4 March 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Romance | Thriller

Tagline:

He thought it was passion. It was deceit. He thought it was love. It was murder.

Plot:

Detective Kyle Bodine falls for Rachel Munro who is trapped in a violent marriage. After shooting her husband...

Plot Keywords:

Detective | Planting Evidence | Big City | Aristocrat | Crime Investigation

Cast

Ed Harris	...	Kyle Bodine
Madeleine Stowe	...	Rachel Munro
Charles Dance	...	Rupert Munro
Patricia Healy	...	Adele
Benicio Del Toro	...	Lamar Dickey
Tim Powell	...	Fraker
Pruitt Taylor Vince	...	Daryl Jeeters
Larry Shuler	...	Patrolman at Turner's
Rob Edward Morris	...	Officer Pinola (as Robb Edward Morris)
Paul Darby	...	CSU Photographer
Theresa Bean	...	Felicity Turner
Allen Prince	...	Assistant M.E.
Sam Myers	...	Blues Band
Anson Funderburgh	...	Blues Band
Matt McCabe	...	Blues Band

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Singapore:NC-16 | Sweden:15 | South Korea:18 | Philippines:R-18 | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | UK:18 | USA:R | Australia:M | Canada:A (Ontario)

Filming Locations:

Lakeland, Florida, USA

Company:

Tig Productions

Soundtrack:

Rack 'Em Up

Cult Movies 41

41. CHINA MOON (thriller, 1994) Homicide Det. Bodine (Ed Harris) is a veteran of the force who knows the ins and outs of every crime scene. He meets Rachel (Madeline Stowe), a beautiful woman whose sensual charms he falls under. They begin a steamy relationship. But then he finds out she's married to an abusive and powerful man. Sensing her infidelity he confronts her, and in an act of self-defense she kills him. She seeks Bodines' help. But will he bring her to justice or help the woman he loves?

Critique: Nifty little thriller borrows from the film-noir tradition. The solid screenplay by Roy Karlson introduces many elements of the genre. There's the honest cop who falls for the habitual 'femme-fetal', and the violent husband as 'middle-man' who ends up dead. But just when you think things are headed into conventional plotting, there's a twist.

Good direction by first-timer John Bailey elicits excellent acting all around. Ed Harris gives another powerhouse performance, Madeline Stowe plays the would-be 'femme fatale' role beautifully, as well as an array of solid supporting actors including Benicio del Toro (who reminded me of James Dean in his younger days). Great ending too.

QUOTE: Kyle: "You were just fV@*!ng me weren't you?! I was loving you and you were fV#!ing me!"