When framed for the murder of a sultry blonde, an underground cartoonist is drawn into a web of corruption, blackmail and deceit.
Cinematography
Smoky, neon-drenched L.A. that looks expensive and cheap simultaneously.
Acting
Harry Dean Stanton doing world-weary detective in his sleep.
Score
Oingo Boingo and smoky saxophone, peak 1987.
Director
Wayne Wang
Tom Hulce
C.C. Drood
Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio
Helen Drood
Virginia Madsen
Yolanda Caldwell
Don Keith Opper
Buddy
Harry Dean Stanton
Det. Benjamin Smiley
John Doe
Det. John Gilbert
Lin Shaye
Librarian
Millie Perkins
Bobby Nye
Judith Barsi
Bean
Robert Beltran
Frank
Rosalind Chao
Mrs. Margaret Bell
Lisa Niemi
Mrs. Adrienne Schell
Herta Ware
Mrs. Raines
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Wayne Wang made this immediately after Dim Sum and before Eat a Bowl of Tea, trying to break into mainstream Hollywood; the studio recut it against his wishes.
This bombed so hard it became a cautionary tale about indie directors chasing studio thrillers—yet it predicted the 90s neo-noir revival of Red Rock West and The Last Seduction by half a decade.
US
GB
