IN THE ARMS OF A KILLER

US, 1992, 90 minutes, Colour.
Jaclyn Smith, John Spencer, Michael Nouri, Sandahl Bergman.
Directed by Robert Collins.

In the Arms of a Killer seems at first like a pilot for a television series with a very attractive Jaclyn Smith, reminding audiences of her years as Charlie's Angel, and John Spencer as a rebellious and tough streetwise detective, some years before he was to go to the White House in The West Wing. However, as the plot develops, and the character portrayed by John Spencer is revealed to be different from what he seems, it is clear that this is a one-off television thriller.

The writing by director Robert Collins is rather street-smart and wittier than the average police thriller. The film shows a serial killer, it focuses also on the collaboration between a detective who has been widowed, her husband a policeman, who comes from an affluent background and the streetwise cop who resents working with this kind of partner.

The film progresses with detection work, the detective continuing to pursue the case even when it seems closed. The focus of attention goes to a doctor, affluent, successful, who starts a relationship with the detective - but who becomes a chief suspect. However, he is a serious schizophrenic and is not the villain. In a twist, the murderer is revealed to be the detective's former partner, acting on behalf of his partner in getting rid of drug-dealing scum.

While the material is familiar, it is entertainingly and quite well done.

1. The popularity of this kind of police and detection melodrama? Thriller?

2. The city settings, the affluent world, the down-to-earth world, the doctor's world, the drug dealers'? The police precincts? Location photography, musical score?

3. The title, its irony - and misleading?

4. The focus on Maria Quinn, her background, education, wealth, family, marriage, her husband killed? Her work for the police? Becoming a detective? Her being paired with Vincent Cusack? His remarks, language, disdain? Her wanting off the case? The murder of the affluent drug dealer, the interview with Chrissie and the others at the party? The interview with Dr Brian Venible? Her pursuit of clues? The interrogation of Chrissie, searching her apartment? Mysterious? The revelation that her husband was a drug dealer out of prison? Her being a prostitute, high-class callgirl? Her death, the pills with Dr Venible's prescription? The interrogation of Dr Venible, Maria being charmed, the invitation to the opera as his apology for being rude to her? Going home, their affair? Her gradual suspicions? The confrontation with him? The irony that he was schizophrenic? Her visit to the doctor's mother, her mother's contempt of her, protectiveness of her son? The work with Cusack, the release from prison of O'Hara, his being caught, pursued, shot? Case closed? Maria and her continued research? The inconsistency of reports being missing, Cusack's behaviour? Her being introduced to his partner, the memories of the past, their working together, mutual dependence? Her going to see him, her suspicions about Cusack? The discussions with Vince, in Chrissie's room, his seeing how the murder was done? Her accusing him, the explanations, the confrontation, the realisation that it was his partner doing it for him? That Vince had realised this? The partner's suicide, her having to turn Cusack in? Looking at Dr Venible, across the street after their separation? A rounded portrait of the detective?

5. Vince Cusack, streetwise, tough, antagonistic towards Maria? Their working together, his ex-partner? The pursuit of the case, the examination of the evidence, going into rooms? The pursuit of O'Hara and his death? The case closed? It being opened up? The truth and his giving in? The partner, their friendship, skill in detection, the irony that he was the killer? His motivations and the vigilante tone?

6. Dr Venible, at the party, antagonism towards Maria, apology, the opera, the affair, the outings? Her mood changes, his being under suspicion? His schizophrenic turn and its being frightening? Taking him to the hospital? His mother and her protectiveness? His regaining his health, the explanation of his voices, coping with them? Not able to have a relationship with her? The devotion of his nurse to him?

7. The opening with the murders, O'Hara? The linking in with the murdered drug dealer? The pursuit of the police? The revelation of Vince Cusack's infatuation with Chrissie? The affair with her? Her blackmailing him? Sealing her doom?

8. An entertaining murder mystery, portrait of detective work - and development of the characters of the detectives?