Eyes of Laura Mars

Rating:
Summary: Mars Attacks?
Review: This was the movie that made me want to move to New York (hey, I was in grade school at the time). Perfectly capturing the look of glam '70's in a way that other, more famous 70's movies didn't, this thriller delivers some real scares. Faye Dunaway is actually pretty good as the beleagured Laura Mars. She overacts in a few scenes, but for the most part isn't bad at all. Tommy Lee Jones is great as the detective that falls for her, and the supporting cast, while a little cardboard, aren't too bad (except for the dead model's boyfriend at the funeral- while the cops wrestle him to the ground, he practically yodels his line "you're gonnnnaaa paaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy!" while Faye dives into the limo to avoid the paparazzi), and the look of the movie; the clothes, the sets, all have a dark, glossy richness that remind us that "Saturday Night Fever" was not the way everybody dressed back then. The quality of the DVD is not great, and there is no stereo, but it's a well-priced disc, and a pretty fun movie. I wish they'd re-relase the soundtrack to it.

Rating:
Summary: Mars Attacks?
Review: This was the movie that made me want to move to New York (hey, I was in grade school at the time). Perfectly capturing the look of glam '70's in a way that other, more famous 70's movies didn't, this thriller delivers some real scares. Faye Dunaway is actually pretty good as the beleagured Laura Mars. She overacts in a few scenes, but for the most part isn't bad at all. Tommy Lee Jones is great as the detective that falls for her, and the supporting cast, while a little cardboard, aren't too bad (except for the dead model's boyfriend at the funeral- while the cops wrestle him to the ground, he practically yodels his line "you're gonnnnaaa paaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy!" while Faye dives into the limo to avoid the paparazzi), and the look of the movie; the clothes, the sets, all have a dark, glossy richness that remind us that "Saturday Night Fever" was not the way everybody dressed back then. The quality of the DVD is not great, and there is no stereo, but it's a well-priced disc, and a pretty fun movie. I wish they'd re-relase the soundtrack to it.

Rating:
Summary: Fun, Fun, Fun!
Review: What a howl! Not too scary ... but all that glam cheesy NYC late 70's stuff is captured perfectly. It's like looking at one of the photo books about decadant urban nightlife - disco, models, lesbianism, gay b'day parties, Faye-dearest, Tommy Lee-needs dermabrasion-Jones,and a token serial killer thrown in. Let's all chant!

Rating:
Summary: Great Glitzy 70's Thriller
Review: Yes, I also remember when "Eyes of Lara Mars" came out with comely star Faye Dunaway arrayed in some of the best fashions of the 70's as a fashion photographer who sees murders before they happen. "Eyes of Lara Mars" is fantastically put together from the dynamic opening song by Barbra Streisand to the last frame -- it's a feast for the eyes and a great mix of glitzy 70's fashion icons and suspense. At that time, with the paint not yet dried on the women's movement (dig Dunaway's bralessness in tribute to the bra-burning times), there was an apparent backlash in the fashion world. In fact, so effected was I by this, that I still have a clipping on the subject from TIME MAGAZINE, which shows the disturbing violent imagery cropping up in many fashion magazines at that time, particularly from uber-photographer Helmut Newton who specialized in dark, kinky and dynamic images featuring some of the supermodels who star in this film. It is Newton's photographs, in fact, which are used as Lara Mars' images.

Anyway, the film is loads of fun with the suspense intact and yet enough unintentional camp to keep things entertaining. As many reviewers mentioned, the scenes of Dunaway running (in stylish tartans), screaming the next victim's name are really worthwhile alone. It is especially amusing because Dunaway is required to run in knee-high, stiletto-heeled (very stylish) suede boots -- and on none-too-even pavements on the mean streets of New York. What a hoot! (How did her ankles survive it?)

It's a good cast with aside from Dunaway, Raul Julia, Tommy Lee Jones as a detective on the case (he and Dunaway in one scene become a study in Gothic bone structure, both with their hollowed cheekbones and hooded eyes), and the flamboyant Rene Auberjonois (who rather annoyed me but was nonetheless fun) as "Donnaaaaallllld." It all works and it looks mah-velous! Faye looks mighty fetching, too; with her own high-fashion-glamour elegance, she's a perfect choice for the role. Oh, the beautiful people! And dig Dunaway's boudoir in this!