Cheap Dressed to Kill (DVD) (Michael Caine, Angie Dickinson) (Brian De Palma) Price

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Customer Reviews of Dressed to Kill

Kate Miller (Angie Dickinson) is a lonely wife bored with her life. After a visit with Dr. Elliot (Michael Caine), her psychiatrist, she follows his bold advice and seeks comfort in a stranger. After a seductive, dangerous encounter, Kate meets a shocking end. A prostitute named Liz, (Nancy Allen) who discovered Kate's body, finds herself teaming with the victim's son Peter (Keith Gordon) to track the killer. The pair thinks that the police, led by detective Marino (Dennis Franz), are not doing enough to look for the prime suspect, a blonde woman in a trenchcoat.

I've heard some people complain that all De Palma really does here is rip off the struture of a few of Hitchcock's better film's and paste them together. I don't think that's the film's main problem though. Certainly, one can't deny that he pays strong homage to "the master of suspense" in this and other films, he does it with a clear respect. The problem I have with Dressed, has to do with the fact that, the script's twists are easy to spot and or figure out. The acting is good enough. Things are so well stylized that you can't help but watch, and go along for the ride, despite any issues

The special edition DVD has both the controversial unrated and R-rated versions of the film on the disc. There's only about a 2 minute difference between the cuts. I applaud the powers that be for including both versions. The 45 minute documentary "The Making of a Thriller", along with three additional featurettes, give you a sense of what things were like behind the scenes. Produced by film documentarian extrodanaire, Laurent Bouzerau, these well produced programs cover most aspects of how things came to be. De Palma, Dickinson, Allen, Franz, and others all contribute their recollections. My only regret is not hearing anything from Caine and his take anywhere--his abscence is noticed and regrettable. You will also see an animated photo and advertising gallery, as well as a couple of theatrical trailers, rounding out the disc. Oh, dare I forget to mention the fact that, you also get MGM's typical "collectible" production trivia booklet as well.

It is for fans of the genre, that Dressed To Kill will work best. And despite my feelings about aspects of its script, I can recommended the disc with a *** and half star rating

It's maybe flawed but it has an Excellent Direction.
When a sexually unsatisfied attractive older woman (Angie Dickinson) decides to cheat on her husband for a One Night Stand. Then she's got killed by a unseen murderer. A High-Priced Callgirl (Nancy Allen) is the only witness to the killing. When no one believes her. The dead woman's Son (Keith Gordon) decides to help the woman to trap the killer.

Written and Directed by Brain De Palma (Sisters, The Phantom of the Paradise, The Untouchables) made a clever, razor-sharp thriller but the film suffers some predicability moments that puts it down a bit. There's strong performances by Micheal Caine, Dickinson, Allen and Gordon highlight this film. It's almost perfect in it's own way. Palma does homage to the another Hitchcock's film-Pyscho and Palma's his own film-Carrie at the End. This has excellent cinematography by Ralf D. Bode and a chilling score by Pino Donaggio. DVD has the R-Rated and the Unrated Version in this Special Edition. This has an good anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer and an fine Digitally Remastered-Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, also with the Original Mono Soundtrack. DVD's Extras are great, including an 45 Minute Documentary, Three Featurettes, Trailers and More. This Thriller is Certainly Unique, Do Not Miss It. Panavision. Grade:A-.

Glossy, meaningless, and occasionally scary
Brian de Palma knew his 1970s audience. When choosing what film to see at the cinema (if you had a choice in those days), it was difficult for many men to persuade their girlfriends to choose an out-and-out erotic movie. (The cinema scene in 'Carry On Camping' gives you some idea of the prevailing attitudes.) So, much like the Hammer movies, de Palma wrapped up the sex in a glossy horror thriller coating. Bizarrely, girls found it much easier to tell their mums that they'd be going to see 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' than 'Swedish Nurses Get Hot', or whatever.

But watching this movie with 25 years of hindsight, when people tend to be more open about sex, you have to wonder what was the point of this film, and what was an actor as good as Michael Caine doing in it. Angie Dickinson, another highly paid actress of the era, is also in it, but frankly her death is so badly acted that you could fairly say she deserved this film.

De Palma is a great user of that "Actually it was all a dream" device that we're warned to avoid in creative writing classes. So we get two dream sequences -- each with a central shower scene -- which are both flimsy excuses to get the clothes off his leading ladies (Dickinson and Nancy Allen). Despite the partial use of a body-double for Dickinson, these are attractive, gripping scenes, and probably the highlights of the movie.

The less said about the geekish son and the police detective, the better. Allen's redemption from NY hooker to sleep-alone companion (in chintz night attire!) to the son is also less than convincing.