If Looks Could Kill

This film is great. The acting is amazing, especially by Maury Chaykin and the wonderful Brad Dourif. It is definitely worth seeing, especially if you're, like me, a fan of Brad Dourif, which is honestly the only reason I started watching this film, but once it had started I couldn't turn away.

This made for tv movie is a strange one, because it continually veers between the very klunky and the very cool. Klunky are the police investigation and especially the insertion of an ego tripping John Walsh (don't quit your day job, John) who obviously isn't playing anyone but his already wooden self. And David Keith as a police detective is asking _him_ for help? However, then there is the part of the movie that focuses on the villain of the piece, Anthony Sabbato Jr. as John Hawkins, the bi-sexual scam artist with the great charm and killer looks. Now this is where the story comes into it's own. Sabbato is great as the guy who can have any woman he wants and does, and can break any law with impunity. Having an absolute blast as his gay partners in crime are Bradley Dourif as Hawkins' lover and business manager and Maury Chaikin as the pill popping, patient zapping dr. Richard Boggs. So, what to make of this movie as a viewing experience? If you're paying for it and looking for a police procedural or serial killer movie, you might be disappointed, but if it's on tv and you can tape it, you pretty much can't lose.

If there will be one role that Antonio Sabato, Jr. will be forever identified with it will be that of John Hawkins, bisexual conman and conspirator in a scam that involved murder. If Looks Could Kill is one of the films that shows how America's Most Wanted helped capture this illusive criminal with John Walsh himself making an appearance.

Sabato's portrayal of Hawkins with his infinite charm and looks casting a spell on men and women has to be one of the sexiest male performances on record, big screen or small. That scene in the airplane restroom with a female conquest will send most in the audience seeking a cold shower or some other kind of relief.

Hawkins was the third man involved in a con that had his business and current sexual partner Brad Dourif impersonating a man that he and third member of the plot Maury Chaykin killed. Chaykin killed some innocent they selected after verifying he had no family. Then with some plastic surgery Dourif took the dead man's place while the dead man was identified as Dourif. A hefty insurance policy was paid before questions were asked.

Dourif and Chaykin are caught, but Sabato eludes police and charms a lot men and women into helping him get away and live high on the hog in Europe. Detective David Keith never gives up and coverage on America's Most Wanted, a show that should never have been canceled helps in the hunt.

It's a good film and at least one scene with Sabato, the one I mentioned ventures ever so lightly into soft core porn. But Sabato will never have a better role and the film is the story of a good and successful manhunt for one elusive man.

IF LOOKS COULD KILL is a strange TVM . Based on a true story the central premise is fascinating . A bisexual hustler talks his sugar daddy lover into carrying out a life insurance scam in which a real body needs to be produced and so begins a compelling story . The problem is that being a TVM we're treated to umpteen flaws . For example there's scenes that the director thought we're supposed to be sexy but we get these stupid jump cuts that we see in erotic anthology shows like HOT LINE and PASSION COVE that are anything but sexy . The director also manages to get uneven performances from the cast , the lead actor who plays John Hawkins gives a rather shallow performance but I guess Hawkins was shallow as a person in which case it's a good performance but Brad Dourif is very irritating as a neurotic queen with a crap Southern accent

I also have a problem with the script , as I said the premise is good but is never developed to its full potential . Did Hawkins manage to elude the law because he was so clever or was it because the police lacked resources or were just plain incompetent ? These issues are never fully explored and since John Walsh ( If you like many Brits have never heard of him you might like to take the time to research his bio ) is credited as executive producer there's an uneasy feeling that perhaps his involvement in the case is overstated

Overall this is an irritating and unsatisfying made for television movie . With better production values it might have been a darker , more disturbing precursor to CATCH ME IF YOU CAN but as it stands it's rather forgettable and mediocre which is a pity

There are,anyway,some things that make this film worth watching :(1)Dourif;(2)some thrilling scenes (e.g.,the noxious Doctor and "Hanson" roasting surreptitiously their victim while he is made an ECG).Dourif's role is done with neatness.

This picaresque and educative tale about 2 rabid and greedy swindlers has its moments of suspense;I enjoyed this average,unambitious and prosaic stuff,and liked (as always,enormously) Brad Dourif's extravagant ,keen and sharp performance.He must be one of the most gifted and also conscientious,dedicated actors ever.

If Looks Could Kill (1996) is filmed journalism.

Dourif is one of the most insulted actors.Insulted by being underused,casted in so many cheap unsuccessful flicks,etc..Yes, but Dourif is undeterred;I admire his artistic robustness.I consider him an excellent landmark of professionalism,and a wasteful one.His performance in If Looks Could Kill (1996) is immensely nuanced,a masterpiece.So much ardent inventive talent,wasted on banal movies.His performances always sweep the board.His cameo in "Trauma" is so moving.(But Dourif is not alone to be treated like that;the great,trenchant Dennehy is a similar case;see him in "Silverado" (1985) --unmatched,unerring!)