Rating: 
Summary: Ellen Barkin is on the prowl
Review: When "Sea of Love" comes to mind, it's difficult not to think about the powerful sexual attraction between Al Pacino and Ellen Barkin that consumes both actors and makes their characters believable. Pacino has the right mix of a burned-out veteran cop who's lonely and bitter at losing his ex-wife to a fellow police officer, and Barkin's Helen is a sexy, tough and complex business woman and single mother with a hard-edged exterior who's also lonely and reaching out for love. Barkin, as always, is great to look at, with her crooked, predatory smile and seems like a tigress hunting for prey, which two scenes illustrate perfectly. The way Helen glides up to Frank Keller in her tight skirt when he enters her shoe store is one of the film's best moments, and the way she materializes out of the shadows and approaches Keller in his dark hallway is high drama and very powerful. Helen also seems to have the better of it in her sex scenes with Keller and has him back on his heels, her hunger for sex palpable and credible. It's a shame that Barkin doesn't appear until the movie is 43 minutes old but she certainly makes the most of her remaining screen time. The film takes its time in establishing the characters and has some dull stretches but the two stars make it work very well. The surprise ending is bit of a letdown, perhaps because there's no suggestion that it's coming. Phil Phillips' 1959 hit gets several reprises here and is, of course, the film's title.
Rating: 
Summary: Dangerous and Sexy
Review: When Al Pacino, one of the greatest actors of our time, decided to return to movies after a long self imposed absence, he chose this Harold Becker thriller and simply exploded back into American cinema. A moody, pulsating score, a lonely city at night atmosphere, and the sexy Ellen Barkin helped to create an erotic and suspenseful thriller like no other. Someone is placing personals and killing men, leaving the old '45 "Sea of Love" playing at every murder scene. Pacino and his partner John Goodman decide to place their own personal and meet women, hoping one will be the killer. Pacino uses something his sick father had written to his mother years ago and it might just be good enough to attract the killer. In steps Barkin, a single mom hotter and sexier than origional sin. Pacino doesn't get her prints on a glass like every other suspect who answers the ad and we spend the rest of the film wondering if this mistake will cost him his life. Pacino tells Goodman he has eliminated her as a suspect and begins a sexually charged relationship that begins to be more. But he can't tell her he's a cop because of how they met and his suspicion explodes in his face when she finds out. A lot of this film is about mistrust and suspicion, and a very messed up Pacino, desperately lonely and trying to move on from his divorce. Barkin is dynamite, but may also be the killer. When Pacino discovers all the victims knew Barkin, things get evermore dangerous. In addition to the electricity between the two leads there is also a fine script and great support from minor players to create one of the most nail biting thrill rides of all time. There is a memorable scene where Pacino is frantically searching for his gun while Barkin is in the bathroom you just have to see. One of the most erotic scenes in screen history takes place in a supermarket late at night as Sade's band instrumental "Siempre Hay Esperanza" from her Stronger Than Pride album plays sexily in the background. Think you know who the killer is? You might. Then again, it might be a suprise. Don't rent this one. Buy it. You'll watch it more than once. I guarantee it.
Rating: 
Summary: Tough film to review.
Review: Wish there was a half-star to award! As a film, this is a fairly standard detective/murder story with a few neat twists. The acting is excellent (especially Al, Ellen and John); no complaints there at all. But the dialigue does get a tiny bit stilted and even slow at times, and there are a few spots where the film's flow stutters just a hair. None of this, however, is enough to ruin the film; in fact, you more or less just let them roll off once things get flowing. And, believe it; the love scenes are some of the hottest ever filmed, and with only limited nudity. Look quick for Samuel Jackson in a small part
Rating:
Summary: STYLIZED EROTICA
Review: With the exception of 1983's SCARFACE,the 80's were a bust for Pacino. This was his comeback outing and it is a stylized erotic journey that would have been grossly misplaced outside NYC. These are New York characters. No other way to describe them, no other need to. Harold Becker is an under rated American director and this is best best work since THE ONION FIELD (1979). The music is seductive (save for 3 versions of the title track). And wickedly sexy Ellen Barkin literally works off with the film when she meets Pacino in a West Side supermarket wearng only a trenchcoat and heels. It was enough to make me shop there.
Rating:
Summary: STYLIZED EROTICA
Review: With the exception of 1983's SCARFACE,the 80's were a bust for Pacino. This was his comeback outing and it is a stylized erotic journey that would have been grossly misplaced outside NYC. These are New York characters. No other way to describe them, no other need to. Harold Becker is an under rated American director and this is best best work since THE ONION FIELD (1979). The music is seductive (save for 3 versions of the title track). And wickedly sexy Ellen Barkin literally works off with the film when she meets Pacino in a West Side supermarket wearng only a trenchcoat and heels. It was enough to make me shop there.
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