Crimes Of Passion

Crimes of Passion (1984)

Runtime: I saw the version that is 107 minutes long

Directed by: My non-relative Ken Russell

Starring: Kathleen Turner, Anthony Perkins, John Laughlin, Annie Potts, Bruce Davison

From: New World Pictures

NOTE: As there are several versions of this movie out there, I'll specify that I saw this via Amazon streaming and what they have is the 107 minute Unrated Cut.

What a double bill I created for myself of ultra sleazy 1984 films. This managed to somehow top Scream for Help in being incredibly trashy and yet there are some legit great moments. It shouldn't be a surprise considering the director was Ken Russell... no relation. Seven minutes of material had to be excised before it played in the United States with an R rating; there is much salacious material to be seen here, whether you watch this version or the Director's Cut that's a few minutes longer. Both versions are on the Arrow Video Blu, which has a pink and blue neon color scheme... which is apt as some scenes are bathed in those lights; between that and the synth moments-from Rick Wakefield-I know some will love that aesthetic.

Anyhow, Kathleen Turner plays Joanna, a woman who has a decent day job in the fashion industry but at night she is a prostitute who calls herself China Blue. Not only does she meet a John named Grady who is experiencing marital troubles but also a crazed person who at least bills himself as a reverend. Whether or not he's actually a man of the cloth, this alleged holy man (played by Anthony Perkins!) mixes Scripture with incredibly vulgar dialogue and is part of many outrageous moments which are bound to offend some. If you ever wanted to see Anthony Perkins pull out sex toys, this is the motion picture for you.

Yet, among all the sexual moments-which this movie is all about, sex-random bizarre non-sequitors and vulgarity, it actually does some things quite well. You see both Joanna become disillusioned with her night job and the deterioration of Grady's marriage. Those are the main themes in this astoundingly unsubtle piece of work. Some of that is stellar so what a dichotomy when it's in the same film with bits that will be considered utterly blasphemous by those that are religious and a scene involving “HP”... and I don't mean Harry Potter or Hewlett-Packard. Only Ken Russell could be like this, having such a nutty film involve big name stars and have quality themes & moments among all the perversion and yes, the passion.