Woodyanders
A vicious serial killer terrorizes the city by brutally strangling attractive young women. Weary, cynical Detective Grant Sutherland (a fine performance by Kent Rulon) enlists the aid of blind, fragile psychic Maggie Russo (a strong and touching portrayal by the lovely Diane Grotke) in order to capture the psycho. Writer/director Richard Brody relates the compelling story at a steady pace, effectively builds plenty of gut-wrenching tension, maintains a properly grim'n'gritty tone throughout, and stages the startling outbursts of raw, ugly violence with considerable skill. Moreover, the excellent acting by the tip-top cast rates as another substantial asset: Rulon and Grotke display a very nice and moving chemistry in the leads (the love story between their lonely characters is surprisingly poignant and their sole sex scene is genuinely erotic), with bang-up supporting turns by James Doohan (Scotty on "Star Trek") as crusty retired cop Barney Fredericks, Isabel Parlett as Grant's spunky, ill-fated partner Detective Lucy Bernard, and Ann Parker as quirky costume store owner Miss Konkle. Jonathan Burkhart's polished cinematography offers several smooth tracking shots and a few impressive overhead camera shots. David Bruce Goldberg's shivery, ominous score hits the shuddery spot. The shockingly bleak surprise ending packs one hell of a wicked wallop. A real sleeper.
