Shattered Image (1994) (TV)

User Rating:

5.1/10   

Director:

Fritz Kiersch

Writer (WGA):

William Delligan (written by)

Release Date:

21 January 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Thriller

Plot:

An FBI agent (Brian) investigating the kidnap then apparent murder of a wealthy businessman (Ben), has his suspicions...

Cast

Jack Scalia	...	Brian Dillon
Bo Derek	...	Helen Allgood
John Savage	...	David
Dorian Harewood	...	Hardy
Ramón Franco	...	Jorge (as Ramon Franco)
Michael Harris	...	Taylor
David McCallum	...	Ben
Carol Lawrence	...	Sylvia
Sully Diaz	...	Gloria
Patrick Thomas	...	Guy
Donald Burton	...	Dr. Collins
Susan Harney	...	Nurse
Kevin Brophy	...	Second Dr. Collins
Kendall Carly Browne	...	Second Nurse
Trent Dolan	...	Locksmith

MPAA:

Rated R for sexuality and violence.

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Singapore:R21 | Iceland:16 | Germany:12 | USA:R

NO CLIMBING OVER THE OBSTACLE OF AN INFIRM SCRIPT.

An ongoing and tiresome motif occurring in many contemporary films pertains to dissension within the ranks of law enforcement agencies with the leading player being some kind of maverick when called to account by his lieutenant, captain, chief or whomever, upbraided for his wayward ways, yet grudgingly given a final opportunity for redemption ere his career is permanently struck down by his choleric supervisor. In this movie, the ultimatum is administered to FBI agent Brian Dillon (Jack Scalia) whose probable final assignment will be an attempt to solve the kidnapping of a wealthy clothing manufacturer whose wife Helen, acted with her customary minute dramatic range by Bo Derek, does not try to disguise abhorrence of her abducted husband, Ben. When Ben is purportedly murdered by the kidnappers, the Bureau closes the case, but meantime Brian and the ungrieving widow have become lovers, a situation complicated by such issues as fraud, embezzlement, and the persistent presence of David (John Savage), Helen's ex-lover and also brother of her late spouse. In addition to the obvious closed space behind Derek's baby blues, the work is burdened with fatal flaws, especially a scenario that is rife with unfillable holes in its plotting for which a plethora of twists and turns are not compensatory, as the scriptor has eliminated the requisite component of suspense. Scalia is pleasing as ever, creating and improving his scenes, however, Carol Lawrence has a majority of her footage cut, unfortunate as she enlivens the action, in particular when paired with somnolent Derek; generous budgeting is utilized to good advantage by making the film look and sound good, and able efforts are turned in by cinematographer Thomas Del Ruth, designer Alfred Sole, costumer Barbara Palmer, and editor Carl Kress, and the sound mixing is top-notch, all unhappily at the service of an absurd screenplay.