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Mesmerized

  • 19851985
  • PGPG
  • 1h 34m
IMDb RATING
4.6/10
928
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Jodie Foster in Mesmerized (1985)
  • Drama
An orphaned New Zealand girl married to an older, wealthy businessman learns to deal with his strange sexual desires.An orphaned New Zealand girl married to an older, wealthy businessman learns to deal with his strange sexual desires.An orphaned New Zealand girl married to an older, wealthy businessman learns to deal with his strange sexual desires.
IMDb RATING
4.6/10
928
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Michael Laughlin
  • Writers
    • Jerzy Skolimowski(based on the original work by)
    • Michael Laughlin(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Jodie Foster
    • John Lithgow
    • Michael Murphy
Top credits
  • Director
    • Michael Laughlin
  • Writers
    • Jerzy Skolimowski(based on the original work by)
    • Michael Laughlin(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Jodie Foster
    • John Lithgow
    • Michael Murphy
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 32User reviews
    • 4Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos14

    Jodie Foster and John Lithgow in Mesmerized (1985)
    Jodie Foster and John Lithgow in Mesmerized (1985)
    Jodie Foster in Mesmerized (1985)
    Jodie Foster and John Lithgow in Mesmerized (1985)
    Jodie Foster and John Lithgow in Mesmerized (1985)
    Jodie Foster, John Lithgow, and Michael Murphy in Mesmerized (1985)
    Jodie Foster in Mesmerized (1985)
    Jodie Foster and Michael Murphy in Mesmerized (1985)
    Jodie Foster in Mesmerized (1985)
    Jodie Foster and John Lithgow in Mesmerized (1985)
    Jodie Foster and John Lithgow in Mesmerized (1985)
    Jodie Foster in Mesmerized (1985)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jodie Foster
    Jodie Foster
    • Victoriaas Victoria
    John Lithgow
    John Lithgow
    • Oliver Thompsonas Oliver Thompson
    Michael Murphy
    Michael Murphy
    • Wilsonas Wilson
    Dan Shor
    Dan Shor
    • Georgeas George
    Harry Andrews
    Harry Andrews
    • Old Thompsonas Old Thompson
    Philip Holder
    • Dr. Finchas Dr. Finch
    Beryl Te Wiata
    • Mrs. Simmonsas Mrs. Simmons
    Reg Evans
    Reg Evans
    • Mr. Simmonsas Mr. Simmons
    Jonathan Hardy
    Jonathan Hardy
    • Burleyas Burley
    Don Selwyn
    • Josephas Joseph
    Derek Hardwick
    • Longwoodas Longwood
    George Spoors
    • Lawyeras Lawyer
    Bob Gould
    • Judgeas Judge
    Jonathan Elsom
    • Public Prosecutoras Public Prosecutor
    Norman Fairley
    Norman Fairley
    • Bailiffas Bailiff
    John Smith
    • Jury Foremanas Jury Foreman
    Patrick Smith
    • Court Clerkas Court Clerk
    David Cameron
    David Cameron
    • Shipping Clerkas Shipping Clerk
    • Director
      • Michael Laughlin
    • Writers
      • Jerzy Skolimowski(based on the original work by)
      • Michael Laughlin(screenplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    An orphaned New Zealand girl married to an older, wealthy businessman learns to deal with his strange sexual desires.
    • close up of eye
    • new zealand
    • brother versus brother
    • camera shot of feet
    • foot closeup
    • 175 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • A love triangle of passion and murder
    • Genre
      • Drama
    • Certificate
      • PG
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The story is loosely based on that of Adelaide Bartlett, who, in 1886, went on trial for the chloroform poisoning of her husband.
    • Quotes

      [first lines]

      Judge: Order in court! Council for the defense of Mrs. Victoria Thompson: Thomas Longwood, MP.

    • Connections
      Referenced in Dead Kids: Introduction by Producer Antony I. Ginnane (2004)
    • Soundtracks
      Karu Karu
      Written by Sam Freedman and F.A. Bennett

      Performed by The Tura Kina Girls Choir

    User reviews32

    Review
    Top review
    Where have we seen this before?
    While watching this on late-night TV recently, I couldn't help but think back to an Oscar-bedecked offering that was released about seven years later - The Piano. Both set in New Zealand, both about mail-order brides who can't stand their husbands ... etc. Mesmerized doesn't indulge in the florid touches with which Jane Campion pumped up her rather empty opus (chopped off fingers, Harvey Keitel's Maori facial tattoos and frontal nudity, etc.), and this is certainly a serious effort by co-producer Foster, but that doesn't mean it's better filmmaking. In fact, despite the cast, it's flat and unimpressive visually and for the most part boring storywise. So if Campion did any ripping off, it was at least in the interests of high camp.
    helpful•6
    5
    • ericl-2
    • Aug 20, 1999

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 31, 1986 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Australia
      • New Zealand
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • My Letter to George
    • Filming locations
      • Auckland, New Zealand
    • Production companies
      • Challenge Film Corporation
      • Manchester Productions
      • Orinward Ltd.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $5,654,930 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 34 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

    Related news

    Michael Laughlin Dies: ‘Two-Lane Blacktop’ Producer, ‘Town & Country’ Writer Was 82
    Michael Laughlin Dies: ‘Two-Lane Blacktop’ Producer, ‘Town & Country’ Writer Was 82
    Nov 1Deadline Film + TV
    Michael Laughlin, Cult Filmmaker and ‘Two-Lane Blacktop’ Producer, Dies at 82
    Michael Laughlin, Cult Filmmaker and ‘Two-Lane Blacktop’ Producer, Dies at 82
    Oct 31Variety Film + TV

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