China Moon (1994)

Ed Harris, Madeline Stowe, and Benicio Del Toro star in this tricky modern noir. Harris plays Kyle Bodine, a police detective with a keen eye for detail and seemingly all the answers. His axiom is that murderers "always screw it up sooner or later," and if you think those words won't come back to haunt him, you don't know your suspense movies. He soon runs into Rachel (Stowe), who is rich, beautiful, and married to an abusive husband. The plot rolls along nicely toward the murder we all know is coming, then gives a few good twists on the way out. Del Toro, not yet famous in this 1991 release, does a terrific more-than-meets-the-eye acting job as Kyle's partner Lamar. This is a fun thriller that hits all the suspense film marks but still manages to keep a few surprises up its sleeve. --Ali Davis Amazon.com

no title

I don't know, I don't think it merits more than three stars, in spite of one terrific cast. The plot is not that original and the ending is terribly unsatisfying, even if it is perhaps more true to life. Ed Harris looks great here, but the one to watch is his partner, Benicio Del Toro, who was Rosie Perez' husband in "Fearless". This was filmed before "Blink" which also starred Stowe. Was set in Florida and the house they used - the outside - was georgeous, with one of those wrap-around porches. I kept wondering throughout why they made such a point of showing Stowe's wedding ring flashing. It was distracting since nothing came of it. And no mention of how Stowe connected to Del Toro at all. They don't seem to move in the same circles. Also doesn't make sense that her husband wouldn't give her anything in a divorce, because she had some very incriminating pictures taken of him in bed with the blond hired by Del Toro, who worked at Dance's bank. And how did they connect up? She stood to get more by going for being Dance's next wife. Lots of questions; no answers. March 27, 2006

Commit a crime and the world is made of glass

This devasting Emerson's statement works out in this modern film noir with stunning accuracy.
Ed Harris falls in love with a femme fatale (the seductive Madeleine Stowe) . She is a married woman and obviosuly all the consequences derivated from this affair will be a real elevator to the gallow.
The surrounding atmosphere is dark and the dramatic nucleus of the picture with the rain as a background seems anticipate the demons that will get out from the Pandora box.
Ed Harris is superb like the policeman who slow but progressively watchs how his efforts for avoid to be discovered as the cover woman become ashes.
The somber role of this double face cop played by Benicio del Toro was a hit for him.
Madeleine Stowe is perfect. She is still one of the most beatiful actress in the cinema , but her shame gaze shines with amazing realism. She reminds me too much to a spanish actress called Ana Torrent (Thesis) .
It's hard to forget the long tradition of the film noir in the american cinema . The two most remarkable triumphs given in the
eighties were Body Heat and The Black Widow.
However, the director John Bailey assumed the challenge and won the match with this film.
Excelent atmosphere though I feel too much enlightment in certain sequences. If not for that detail, I would give this film five stars. June 13, 2004

movie noir at its best

they dont make movies like this anymore.Lamar Dickey is just another wide eyed wet behind the ears rookie cop or so it would seem to his partner.this movie takes a very Hitchcock like turn and suddenly the detective investigating the bank owners murder is now the prime suspect! November 17, 2003

ED HARRIS IS SIMPLY MESMERIZING !

This movie's based on a very cute plot.Suspenceful and thrilling crimes.I shan't tell it all.But expect some big-time surprises as the movie develops! May 2, 2003

Very solid 4 stars

Very good movie . I have to worn you - if you expecting regular , happy ending Hollywood cheapy , you are in wrong place .
Ed Harris playing a police homoside detective . His character is street smart , talanted , but very lonly . His partner is young and kind of laisy .One evening , Harris meet a beatifull woman ( Madelein Stowe ), and we fell in love with her character right away : smart , very attractive , intellegent and funny . So did the detective . She dissapears that evening , but Harris find her , of cause . The relationship developes and getting more and more interesting every scene . But everything goes not that easy for tham - she is married . Producers made an exellent selection of an actor for the role of her husband ( we dislike him right away ). He ownes a big Florida bank chain , cheating on his beatifull wife and pushing her around constantly . We know right away - something will happen , somebody going to get killed . And most likely , this someone will be her husband .
What I like in this movie , is the love story between Harris and Stowe . Both actors perform on such high level , that keeps your attention from begining all the way to the end . We want them to be together . And when Stowe get in big troubles , we want Harris to help her .
At same time we have to think ,That she is just seting him up , but we want to belive her . We WANT to belive that she loves Harris character . And at the last moments of the movie , insted of being sad about the ending , we feal relief - this was a true love .
Highly recomended. September 14, 2002

More reviews at Amazon.com ...