Director Robert Vincent O'Neill takes us into the sleazy side of Hollywood Blvd once again, as he was also the writer of Vice Squad two years prior to this effort. The film is the story of a 15 yr old girl who is an honor student by day, and a hooker known as Angel by night. Her parents have long since split leaving her with having to trick for the money to attend her exclusive prep school. She seems more at ease with the street characters than she does in school, and she cannot hide her secret forever from the guidance counselor curious about why she has no time for after school activities. And danger lurks around every corner on the streets as a maniacal murderer is stalking young hookers and dismembering them. Will Angel be his next victim? I come to review this film with mixed emotions. Yes, I suppose it could have been much worse. But boy this thing had the potential to be much, much better. The film has many interesting characters, especially the villain who I'll get to in a moment. But the film is not paced well, and too much seems to happen in the first twenty minutes or so. Then, it settles into a melodrama about Angel and how her parents left her. And how the cop investigating the murders kind of becomes like a father figure for her. I'd have preferred this film either stick to its sleazy roots like Vice Squad did the entire time, or just make this more of a drama with a more consistently serious tone. There are some scenes of random locker room nudity that just don't belong here at all (though they are nice to look at) and they belong more in a film like Private School. I just felt the film was a re-write away from hitting all the right notes.
There are some fantastic scenes and characters, however. The killer is more than memorable. He never speaks a word until the final frame, and what he says not only describes what he's feeling, but its almost like a truism that describes the life of anyone on these streets. He's played by veteran character actor John Diehl, who you may recognize but not be able to name. I always recall him as the "Cruiser" from Stripes whose incredible ignorance provides a few good laughs. Here he looks the part, and then some. He's one scary dude. Rory Calhoun as an old Western movie hand and Dick Shawn as a hilarious drag queen steal every scene they are in. Donna Wilkes looks the part as Angel, but she cannot sell her lines when she speaks them. I'm convinced the art director for Britner Spears's video Baby One More Time got her look from Wilkes in this movie. No question about it. Cliff Gorman is pretty good as the detective in charge of the murders, but he maybe gets too much screen time. Like in Vice Squad, O'Neill seems not to trust his female lead and has to have a cop be at the center of attention in many scenes.
The final ten minutes are a wonderful payoff. Having seen one too many of her friends murdered, Angel grabs her landlady's .44 magnum and walks the streets looking for this sicko killer. And his panicked reaction proves that he's not used to women who fight back. What an oddly arousing sight to see this little lady carrying that huge pistol down the street firing it at this guy! 6 of 10 stars.
The Hound.
There are some fantastic scenes and characters, however. The killer is more than memorable. He never speaks a word until the final frame, and what he says not only describes what he's feeling, but its almost like a truism that describes the life of anyone on these streets. He's played by veteran character actor John Diehl, who you may recognize but not be able to name. I always recall him as the "Cruiser" from Stripes whose incredible ignorance provides a few good laughs. Here he looks the part, and then some. He's one scary dude. Rory Calhoun as an old Western movie hand and Dick Shawn as a hilarious drag queen steal every scene they are in. Donna Wilkes looks the part as Angel, but she cannot sell her lines when she speaks them. I'm convinced the art director for Britner Spears's video Baby One More Time got her look from Wilkes in this movie. No question about it. Cliff Gorman is pretty good as the detective in charge of the murders, but he maybe gets too much screen time. Like in Vice Squad, O'Neill seems not to trust his female lead and has to have a cop be at the center of attention in many scenes.
The final ten minutes are a wonderful payoff. Having seen one too many of her friends murdered, Angel grabs her landlady's .44 magnum and walks the streets looking for this sicko killer. And his panicked reaction proves that he's not used to women who fight back. What an oddly arousing sight to see this little lady carrying that huge pistol down the street firing it at this guy! 6 of 10 stars.
The Hound.