Mike's Murder

There's a lot of good things to say about this obscure mystery from the 80s. The best thing is Debra Winger, who never looked better. She is beautiful and sexy, earthy and smoldering, yet she possesses an approachable, naive quality.

The story is intriguing, with a different way of looking at the drug underworld in Los Angeles. This is not about cops, gangsters and car chases. It's about an innocent woman who accidentally becomes involved in a drug-related murder. It's really all about Winger's character, although Paul Winfield stands out in a small role as a gay music producer.

The mood is low-key and dreamlike with a subtle erotic undertone. It also has a nice score that stays with you. Give it a chance.

This is one of the most harrowing pictures I have ever seen. It is a very good and very underrated film. All of the actors do a great job in their roles and Darrell Larson gives an outstanding portrayal of a young man who inadvertently signed his own death warrant.

I only wish that this film was nominated for an Academy Award for best picture, best actress and best supporting actor.!!

If you have not seen this film, be sure and check it out--nerve wracking, nail-biting, and an edge of your seat film--you don't know what to expect from minute to minute.

One of the best films of any year!!

The story of Mike's Murder might go under the heading of things better left undiscovered. Except of course by the police. But all Debra Winger knows is that the fabulous sex she had with her tennis instructor Mark Keyloun has left one big void and one big curiosity.

Debra Winger gives lie to that notion that there are no good roles for women as she carries Mike's Murder on the back of her obsessed character. Winger is no superhero, she's an average ordinary working class female, a bank teller who thinks that she's found the love of her life and can't believe it was taken from her.

Keyloun just can't make ends meet and pay the rent so he's into other activities some of them not so legal. He and his friend Darrell Larson started poaching on another drug dealer's territory and that kind of poaching can be bad for your health.

Winger finds a lot more about Keyloun and the best scene in the film is with Paul Winfield, a rich older gay man who picked up Keyloun and keeps him for a while as his boy toy. As Winfield describes the relationship Winger's eyes and expressions are worth pages of dialog.

There is also a frightening climax with Larson that I can't reveal the details of but it will rivet you.

Mike's Murder is a great film and real triumph for Debra Winger.

This movie is compelling because the character of Betty is so innocent about what is going on in this murky tennis coach. It makes it easy to see how a normal person could find themselves in way over their heads without knowing it. The kitchen scene with the pal of Mike's who manages to get away from the bad guys is gut wrenching. Debra Winger has never gotten the breaks that she richly is due. I feel that it is compelling that the late Bette Davis stated that of the new actresses that Ms Winger was the most like her and I don't think that she was merely referring to their bad press.

My experience with this film differs from some of those who seem to be objecting to both the plot and the cast.

I thought the idea of a 20's something woman who immerses herself in a quasi-relationship with a person on the fringe of society to be interesting. Winger turns in a terrific performance. Part of the human experience or journey is that one encounters difficult moments in one's life - including anticipating relationships one wants desperately to work out.

Betty is in the unfortunate position of having to view Mike from afar as the latter is caught in a nightmarish world of drugs and deceit. I found Mike's drug partner in crime very compelling. One had a real sense of dread and doom as he tried to "make-up" for an irredeemable mistake. Paul Winfield is spot on as the record producer who has also suffered a loss.

All in all, what we have here is a subtle film which is compelling and which a typical focus group would probably pass over. One good example of why film producers and directors should stay away from them and let their artistic visions guide their actions.