Back Stab (1990)

An architect goes to bed with a seductive stranger only to awaken beside the corpse of his boss.

Director:

Jim Kaufman (as James Kaufman)

Writer:

Paul Koval

Stars:

James Brolin, Dorothée Berryman, Meg Foster

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Brolin	...	Cliff Murphy
Dorothée Berryman	...	Juliet Powell
Meg Foster	...	Sara Rudnick
June Chadwick	...	Mrs. Chambers
Brett Halsey	...	Ken Updike
Isabelle Truchon	...	Jennifer
Robert Morelli	...	Steve Howe
Terrence Labrosse	...	Mr. Chambers
Norris Domingue	...	Stanley
Bronwen Mantel	...	Judge
James Rae	...	Ad Executive
Tom Berry	...	Court Clerk
Brian Dooley	...	J.H. the Guard
Robert Ozores	...	Prisoner
Charles S. Doucet	...	Cop at Station (as Charles Doucet)

Storyline

Cliff Murphy is a lonely widow architect still grieving the death of his wife Anne. On the day the company where he works is sold to Mr. Chambers, a very wealthy man, his co-worker and friend Juliet Powell convinces him to join the other colleagues in a celebration in a bar. He reluctantly goes and he meets the gorgeous Caroline being harassed by a strong blonde guy. He stays with her and they have a hot intercourse in the back seat of her car. On the next day, Caroline calls him in the office and invites him to go to a restaurant. Then, they go in two cars to her house. After some kisses and hugs, Cliff meets Mr. Chambers back stabbed and dead on the bed in the master bedroom. Cliff goes to Juliet's flat and calls Sara Rudnick, a lawyer and former friend of Anne, asking her to defend him. She tells him to turn himself in to the police. He is put in jail and in the preliminary audience for the trial, Caroline is another woman. Cliff's world and defense turns upside down and he finds ...

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Plot Keywords:

architect | montreal quebec canada | fugitive | bistro | murder plot | 

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Taglines:

Last night he fell in love with her. Today he's being framed for murder. Only she could save him... And she has disappeared.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Goofs

When the bartender hands Juliet her drink and Cliff's, he says "Here's your drinks!", but his lips do not match what he is saying.

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Quotes

Cliff Murphy: God, it's funny.
Jennifer: What?
Cliff Murphy: You can go months and months waiting for some kind of a change in your life. And when you least expect it, it just tumbles in right out of the blue. You know what I mean?
Jennifer: Sure. I know what you mean.

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Alternate Versions

Isabelle Truchon's and James Brolin's nude scenes were re-shot for television with their respective clothes and underwear on. A small portion can be seen in the film's trailer.

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Soundtracks

Touch
Written by Daniel Barbe and Marty Simon
Performed by Radar
Courtesy of Polygram Music Publishing Inc.

User Reviews

A Good Film Neo Noir, But With a Disappointing End

Cliff Murphy (James Brolin) is a lonely widow architect still grieving the death of his wife Anne. On the day the company where he works is sold to Mr. Chambers, a very wealthy man, his co-worker and friend Juliet Powell (Dorithée Berryman) convinces him to join the other colleagues in a celebration in a bar. He reluctantly goes and he meets the gorgeous Caroline (Isabelle Truchon) being harassed by a strong blonde guy. He stays with her and they have a hot intercourse in the back seat of her car. On the next day, Caroline calls him in the office and invites him to go to a restaurant. Then, they go in two cars to her house. After some kisses and hugs, Cliff meets Mr. Chambers back stabbed and dead on the bed in the master bedroom. Cliff goes to Juliet's flat and calls Sara Rudnick (Meg Foster), a lawyer and former friend of Anne, asking her to defend him. She tells him to turn himself in to the police. He is put in jail and in the preliminary audience for the trial, Caroline is another woman. Cliff's world and defense turns upside down and he finds that someone has trapped him. But who?

"Back Stab" is film neo noir with a flawed but attractive unoriginal story that holds the attention of the viewer. There are hot sex, sexy and fatal women, amoral plot, jazz soundtrack, but all of these components of a film noir are wasted, after the second plot point. The screenplay becomes totally absurd and incredible and the conclusion of the story is totally disappointing. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "Traição" ("Betrayal")

Note: On 17 October 2016, I saw this film again.

Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 October 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Backstab

Filming Locations:

Montréal, Québec, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Allegro Films, CFCF-TV, Cinegems International

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)