"Double Exposure" is a lurid thriller starring Michael Callan ("Cat Ballou", "Mysterious Island") as Adrian Wilde, a photographer who's begun having nightmares in which he murders his models. And, naturally, these women begin to be murdered in real life in the same fashion (as well as some other people), so we have to wonder, IS he responsible? He certainly does look like he's coming unglued. Callans' performance is indeed an intense one, although he has his lighter moments, too, as he aggressively pursues a new acquaintance, Mindy (Joanna Pettet).
"Double Exposure" sometimes goes back and forth between this lighter tone and a sleazier one as these unfortunate women (and one dude) meet their demises. As a result, the incompetent detective played by Pamela Hensley pops in and out of the story. The identity of our deranged killer isn't going to come as any great shock, unfortunately, but until we get there the movie does have its moments along the way. For one thing, it comes up with a true corker of a murder set piece involving a trash bag and a snake - an inspired bit of nastiness. Some other kills are done slasher style. Doses of sex and nudity are adequate; there's a brief bit of full frontal and it's nice that the filmmakers could include an interlude of mud wrestling.
The movie does look quite nice in the Panavision aspect ratio (with cinematography by R. Michael Stringer), and the music score by Jack Goga is impressive.
The cast is definitely above average for a Crown International production; also featured are James Stacy as Callans' brother (the two are actually believable as brothers, and share a good chemistry), Oscar nominee Seymour Cassel as his psychiatrist, and Robert Tessier as a lowlife bartender. Popping up in other supporting roles and notable bits are Misty Rowe, Frances Bay, Jeana Tomasina, Sally Kirkland, Terry Moore, Victoria Jackson, and Kathy Shower. However, Cleavon Little is wasted in a clichéd role as Hensley's agitated superior.
Nothing great, but undeniably easy enough to watch, "Double Exposure" should be sufficient to satisfy the needs of trash movie lovers. Trivia note: it has its roots in another movie of nine years previous, "The Photographer", which also starred Callan, who even had the same character name.
Seven out of 10.
"Double Exposure" sometimes goes back and forth between this lighter tone and a sleazier one as these unfortunate women (and one dude) meet their demises. As a result, the incompetent detective played by Pamela Hensley pops in and out of the story. The identity of our deranged killer isn't going to come as any great shock, unfortunately, but until we get there the movie does have its moments along the way. For one thing, it comes up with a true corker of a murder set piece involving a trash bag and a snake - an inspired bit of nastiness. Some other kills are done slasher style. Doses of sex and nudity are adequate; there's a brief bit of full frontal and it's nice that the filmmakers could include an interlude of mud wrestling.
The movie does look quite nice in the Panavision aspect ratio (with cinematography by R. Michael Stringer), and the music score by Jack Goga is impressive.
The cast is definitely above average for a Crown International production; also featured are James Stacy as Callans' brother (the two are actually believable as brothers, and share a good chemistry), Oscar nominee Seymour Cassel as his psychiatrist, and Robert Tessier as a lowlife bartender. Popping up in other supporting roles and notable bits are Misty Rowe, Frances Bay, Jeana Tomasina, Sally Kirkland, Terry Moore, Victoria Jackson, and Kathy Shower. However, Cleavon Little is wasted in a clichéd role as Hensley's agitated superior.
Nothing great, but undeniably easy enough to watch, "Double Exposure" should be sufficient to satisfy the needs of trash movie lovers. Trivia note: it has its roots in another movie of nine years previous, "The Photographer", which also starred Callan, who even had the same character name.
Seven out of 10.