China Moon (1994)

Detective Kyle Bodine falls for Rachel Munro who is trapped in a violent marriage. After shooting her husband, Kyle relucantly agrees to help hide the body, but Kyle's partner is showing an... See full summary »

Director:

John Bailey

Writer:

Roy Carlson

Stars:

Ed Harris, Madeleine Stowe, Charles Dance

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Detective Kyle Bodine falls for Rachel Munro who is trapped in a violent marriage. After shooting her husband, Kyle relucantly agrees to help hide the body, but Kyle's partner is showing an unusual flair for finding clues.

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Plot Keywords:

detective | false accusation | country name in title | spouse abuse | murder | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Romance | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sensuality, language and violence

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 March 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Lua dos Amantes

Filming Locations:

Bartow, Florida, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$3,038,499 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Tig Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Filmed in 1990-91, it was thrown into limbo when production company Orion filed for bankruptcy in late 1991. After a reorganization, the film finally had its theatrical debut in 1994.

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Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Angie/China Moon/Greedy/Sirens/The Chase (1994)

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Soundtracks

"Rack 'Em Up"
Written by Sam Myers & Anson Funderburgh
Used by permission of Black Top Publishing
Performed by Anson Funderburgh & The Rockets Featuring Sam Myers
Courtesy of Black Top Records

User Reviews

Neo-noir that's really film noir in the older style

Because it was made in 1994, China Moon is a neo-noir. But unlike most neo-noirs, China Moon tells a story that harks back to some of the classic noirs. Even the way that it is done doesn't use the modern contrivances, or at least none are obtrusive. The story is done in an unpretentious but very suspenseful way. Also, like most older noirs, it runs closer to 90 minutes, whereas many neo-noirs run much longer.

I don't want to spoil the story, so I'm saying little about it. It mixes a killing, love, money, betrayal, and a frame-up. The protagonist, played by Ed Harris, is a methodical straightforward detective who is good at what he does. He has a rookie partner played by Benicio del Toro. A married couple is played by Madeleine Stowe and Charles Dance. The story is quite understandable while still involving various interesting complexities. Any fan of film noir will like this picture. I know I did.