DECEIVED

US, 1991, 108 minutes, Colour.
Goldie Hawn, John Heard, Ashley Peldon, Amy Wright, Kate Reid.
Directed by Damian Harris.

Deceived is an entertainingly glossy, woman in peril thriller in the long tradition of Hollywood films of this kind. However, it is a star vehicle for Goldie Hawn, a transition from her more light-hearted comedies to her taking the advantage of a serious role and a career change. She is believable in the role of Adrienne, who marries a charming man only to find she has been grossly deceived. The film has such echoes of such films as Wait Until Dark with scary chases and trick editing for audiences jumping with fright.

The film was directed by Damien Harris, son of Richard Harris, whose previous film was the sex caper, The Rachel Papers. Here he uses a moody atmosphere, lots of close-ups and of tracking shots, a dark atmosphere with loudly foreboding music.

John Heard is believable as the charming Jack and there is a strong supporting cast including Kate Reid as his mother, Amy Wright as a school friend.

Nothing particularly new. The audience generally knows what is going to happen - but the important thing is experiencing how it happens.

1. Entertaining thriller? Woman in peril - '90s style? The long tradition of this kind of film?

2. New York settings, the world of art? The use of the New York streets? The wintry atmosphere? The snowbound countryside? Editing and pace, shocks and frights? Special effects? The pounding and foreboding music?

3. The title, the audience deceived, Adrienne deceived? Jack (Frank) as a deceiver?

4. Goldie Hawn's portrait of Adrienne, initially in the rain, going to dinner, being stood up, peeping at Jack? The attraction? The later encounter, coming to the office, staying up all night talking, feeling understood? The marriage, the passing of the years, Mary, her birthday, the happy celebrations? Lillian and her work in the household? Everything perfect?

5. Adrienne and her work, her love for Jack, his work, art world deals, Harvey and Carol, Tomasz and their friends?

6. The party atmosphere, Tomasz and his investigation of the jewellery, discovery of the fraud, his being killed? The discussion at the party, Adrienne going to call, the discovery of the body? Her upset? The investigation? Jack and his telling her about suspicions and the fake jewellery? His going to Boston, Charlotte seeing him in New York, the gift of the nightgown - and the credit card left in New York? Her anger, the confrontation, finding the cards in his suit? His confrontation with her, his storming out, his picking up the friend, their driving into the countryside, the crash?

7. Adrienne, the funeral and grief, at work, the difficulties with the social security card, the wrong name, going to the archives and finding the truth, finding Jack's real name? The visit to Evelyn and the conversation and the memories about Jack? Evelyn's phone call and remembering about his mother? Getting the taxi and visiting Brooklyn, Frank's mother? Her story, her bitterness? The documents, scanning them - and letting the children take the real jewels?

8. At home, her fears, her dream and someone kissing her, Mary and her fears, locking the doors? The audience seeing the presence in the other building, outside the window? The house in a mess? Lilian, her work, looking at herself in the mirror, going out - returning and being killed? Adrienne's apprehensions, Mary alive?

9. The summons to go to Frank's mother's place, meeting Jack, her love for him, her anger, listening to his story, its plausibility? Anti-poverty, assuming the identity of Jack Saunders? His envy of Jack? The plausibility about the Sherman story and the blackmail? Adrienne and her search for the jewels, all over the house? Her going to the neighbour's child and demanding the jewels back - and her caustic comment about who was in charge in the family? The phone calls and Jack checking?

10. Adrienne and her discovery of the address of Sherman, going to visit the family, discovering the new wife? Jack's phone call, the threats and his taking Mary from school? The appointment, the chase through the abandoned part of the building, the sense of terror, Adrienne's shrewdness and Jack's death?

11. John Heard's portrait of Jack - initially charming, the passing of the years and the happy family? His double-dealings, murderous nature? His mother's explanation that he was a selfish child? His not seeing her for 15 years? His motivation, the next marriage and setting up the family? Plausible and charmingly violent?

12. The strong supporting cast: Evelyn and her memories of Jack and Frank at school, helping Adrienne? Tomasz and his friendship, expertise? Charlotte and her managing the business, her friendship? Harvey, the business deals, friendship? Mrs Sullivan and her bitterness - and her death?

13. The perennially popular ingredients of this kind of thriller?