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Sea Of Love (1989)
Released By: MCA Universal Home Video   Rating: R   In Theaters: N/A
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Studio: MCA Universal Home Video
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Harold Becker
Language: English
Official Website: N/A
Theatrical Release: N/A
Home Video Release: N/A
Cast: Al Pacino, Ellen Barkin, John Goodman, Michael Rooker, Richard Jenkins, William Hickey
Published ID: 1000
UPC: 025192022623, 025192330322, 025193281524,
Plot: Sea of Love is a sexy, atmospheric thriller, very much in the style of Alfred Hitchcock, with involving characters, steamy love scenes, and surprising plot twists. Frank Keller (Al Pacino), is a lonely, tired, disillusioned, police detective, who has a problem with alcohol. Frank is investigating a serial killer, whom he believes finds victims by using personal ads in magazines, killing them while playing the old record Sea of Love. In a scene both amusing and touching, Frank and his partner, Sherman (John Goodman) --aided by Frank's father (William Hickey in a lovely cameo) place a personal ad, hoping to lure the killer. Helen Cruger (Ellen Barkin), a tough, sexy single mother answers the ad and begins an affair with Frank, despite the fact that she is one of the prime suspects in the case. The suspense builds as Frank, though deeply drawn to Helen, becomes more and more suspicious of her. In a splendidly crafted script from Richard Price, the plot is compelling, with plenty of action, terrific authentic dialogue and superb characterization. Ellen Barkin gives a marvelous performance as an independent, sensual and intriguing femme fatale; John Goodman is excellent as Sherman, giving a likable, shrewd, and subtly comic performance; and Pacino, in perhaps his best performance since Dog Day Afternoon, plays Frank as a man on the edge, reckless and self-destructive, lost and alone. Frank falls in love with Helen, in spite of himself, because of his loneliness and need. Pacino's skill in showing the vulnerability and neediness of Frank explains the somewhat implausible actions of his character in continuing their affair despite the mounting evidence against Helen. Harold Becker directs with great flair, bringing the story believability, without lapsing into false sentimentality. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide
IDDateTimeTitleReviewHelpfulVotesTotalVotes
Better than all the experts in the world
Added 9/29/2009

As a cop this actor is pathetic but fascinating. A serial killer is at work in New York, using poetic ads in the Village Voice to attract his preys. But in fact he is not the killer really but the real prey of the killer who is... the woman, at first they thought, the police, and they are wrong of course. So our cops dress up as bar waiters and poetic lovers and they start dating women in a bar via some nice poems in the Village Voice. Of course in the lot they manage to catch the good one, but in the meantime our cop has fallen in love with her and he is unable to see straight. He is so shocked when he discovers she is connected with the victims that he stops thinking and he wants her to commit one more crime and he frightens her to death and she leaves. It is then someone rings at the door and what a surprise, a colleague of his, a cop, ... you go and discover the details. Sordid, bleak, miserable, and that sea of love is just spilled over, a real tsunami. The actor is so good that he makes us believe two things. For one cops have special eyes and anyone can recognize them by the way they look at you or anything. And for two that a cop in love is like a whale out of the sea, dying because he is crushed by his own weight, that of his gun and badge, and crushing everything around himself like the big fat monster he is. One of these actors of the old generation who were, and some of them still are and have taught the trade to a few younger ones, able to impersonate any part, any role, any situation as if they were chameleons. That's rare, my gosh, that's rare but so good when you meet one from time to time. That thriller is "The Experts" plus a good touch of humane and human depth. Let's hope competition and the crisis helps Hollywood to ask their actors to relearn that trade of old and begin again composing their characters from inside and not as if they were some kind of costumes you don over your evening jacket or dress.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne, University Paris 12 Créteil, CEGID

0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
sea of love is movie to be loved.
Added 8/3/2009

the movie is very good and the chemistry between lead actor and the actress is hypnotising.
Hariharan Venkatesh
New Delhi,
India

1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
Always Entertaining
Added 4/21/2009

Al Pacino, Ellen Barkin and John Goodman are all so entertaining to watch that I've always enjoyed this film no matter how many times I've seen it.

The suspense is what this film is all about, but I am fascinated with these actors, including supporting performances by Michael Rooker and William Hickey. Although her looks are a little hard and her mouth way too profane, Barkin never looked better and sexier. That Pacino's character, "Detective Frank Keller" would fall for her is understandable.

However, adultery, once again is excused in this film along with other not-so-moral acts so this isn't a film you want to show to your church group. All three of the leads are very weak, ethically-speaking.

The fact that this film can go on for almost two hours with very little action and still keep you riveted to your seat speaks highly of its entertainment value. Why national critics knocked it so much, I don't know. Hey, it's good entertainment. What more do you want?

0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
Steamy thriller, oldie but goodie
Added 3/28/2009

Al Pacino and Ellen Barkin heat up the screen in this sexy thriller. A serial killer is stalking men in new York City. Al Pacino, hoarse and burnt out, is on the case with a slim-looking John Goodman playing the side-kick totally straight.
Pacino's suspicions soon focus on Ellen Barkin, a sultry, sexy blond who oozes sex and danger.
There are plenty of holes in the plot but they don't matter much. The main reason to see this movie is to enjoy the chemistry of the two leads. You really feel the sweaty New York summer nights, you see the crumpled sheets and the slick bodies. The sex is not over-explicit but it's real enough to be convincing.
I first saw this movie many years ago and enjoyed it then. I caught it again on HBO and found it equally compelling.

1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
sea of love
Added 1/12/2009

The Dvd was defective when I tried to view it and it takes to much time to send it back and get another one.
0 out of 2 people found this helpful.
Better than all the experts in the world
Added 9/29/2009

As a cop this actor is pathetic but fascinating. A serial killer is at work in New York, using poetic ads in the Village Voice to attract his preys. But in fact he is not the killer really but the real prey of the killer who is... the woman, at first they thought, the police, and they are wrong of course. So our cops dress up as bar waiters and poetic lovers and they start dating women in a bar via some nice poems in the Village Voice. Of course in the lot they manage to catch the good one, but in the meantime our cop has fallen in love with her and he is unable to see straight. He is so shocked when he discovers she is connected with the victims that he stops thinking and he wants her to commit one more crime and he frightens her to death and she leaves. It is then someone rings at the door and what a surprise, a colleague of his, a cop, ... you go and discover the details. Sordid, bleak, miserable, and that sea of love is just spilled over, a real tsunami. The actor is so good that he makes us believe two things. For one cops have special eyes and anyone can recognize them by the way they look at you or anything. And for two that a cop in love is like a whale out of the sea, dying because he is crushed by his own weight, that of his gun and badge, and crushing everything around himself like the big fat monster he is. One of these actors of the old generation who were, and some of them still are and have taught the trade to a few younger ones, able to impersonate any part, any role, any situation as if they were chameleons. That's rare, my gosh, that's rare but so good when you meet one from time to time. That thriller is "The Experts" plus a good touch of humane and human depth. Let's hope competition and the crisis helps Hollywood to ask their actors to relearn that trade of old and begin again composing their characters from inside and not as if they were some kind of costumes you don over your evening jacket or dress.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne, University Paris 12 Créteil, CEGID

0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
sea of love is movie to be loved.
Added 8/3/2009

the movie is very good and the chemistry between lead actor and the actress is hypnotising.
Hariharan Venkatesh
New Delhi,
India

1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
Always Entertaining
Added 4/21/2009

Al Pacino, Ellen Barkin and John Goodman are all so entertaining to watch that I've always enjoyed this film no matter how many times I've seen it.

The suspense is what this film is all about, but I am fascinated with these actors, including supporting performances by Michael Rooker and William Hickey. Although her looks are a little hard and her mouth way too profane, Barkin never looked better and sexier. That Pacino's character, "Detective Frank Keller" would fall for her is understandable.

However, adultery, once again is excused in this film along with other not-so-moral acts so this isn't a film you want to show to your church group. All three of the leads are very weak, ethically-speaking.

The fact that this film can go on for almost two hours with very little action and still keep you riveted to your seat speaks highly of its entertainment value. Why national critics knocked it so much, I don't know. Hey, it's good entertainment. What more do you want?

0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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