I want to start off by saying that I am a HUGE Kristy Swanson fan. I never quite understood why the girl didn't blow up and take Hollywood by storm. So, you will understand why I am a little underwhelmed by the fact that this is the only work that she gets nowadays. A friend of mine works for a video store and, as such, gets to rent prestreet videos. Well, as soon as he saw this movie come in yesterday, he knew he had to bring it over (it's released next Tuesday, April 12th). The movie, although not terrible, is completely below everyone involved. It seems to me that post Playboy, Ms. Swanson seems to feel at home with playing a "Pamela Anderson type" character whose sexuality completely overwhelms her character. The premise goes like this: Stephen Baldwin (one of the worst actors ever; doing a serviceable job here, though) plays (what else) a cop who is assigned to the investigation involving the murder of a homeless man who has been thrown off a building with wire around his neck. Of course, his investigation leads him to the tenants of the building, that include Kristy (doing her best to portray a bondage obsessed top photographer). Well, the normal hijinks ensues and Stephen's married cop character succumbs to Kristy's feminine ways, while at the same time still suspecting her for the murder. Overall, the movie lacked any sort of tension, but the direction, cinematography, and acting were all better than could be expected for such too often explored terrain. Also, anyone expecting any nudity on Kristy's behalf may want to try something else. Although she plays the role with a certain amount of conviction, it is clear that it is not that kind of conviction (which I was pleased to find). In summation, only rent this if you are in the mood for a mediocre late night film and Wild Things (or any of its sequels) are all checked out.
Review of Bound by Lies
