Psychiatrist Ann Hecker (Annabella Sciorra) has two particular patients; artist John Castillo (John Leguizamo) and sexually adventurous Eve Abergray (Deborah Kara Unger). Sarah Green (Jill Clayburgh) and her husband Leo (Alan Alda) are her colleagues. She's Leo's patient since 7 years ago as a medical student. She wants to break up with her boyfriend Paul (Anthony Heald) but he beats her to the punch by moving out. She goes out with new guy pilot Doug McDowell (Jamey Sheridan). She goes to spy on Eve and find Eve's S&M boyfriend turns out to be Doug. Eve explodes after discovering her relationship with Doug. Eve steals her files and then she finds Eve murdered. Police detective Larry Morgenstern (Anthony LaPaglia) investigates.

It's an erotic thriller that tries too hard with the cheesy eroticism. It's slow moody music with fuzzy sex dreams. The whole thing moves like molasses. Christopher Crowe is not as good as a director. It doesn't have enough tension. The subject matter is intense and should translate better onto the screen. The movie turns into a nice murder mystery midway through. It gets better going away from the silly eroticism turning into a twisty mystery. There is probably one too many twist but that seems like it was setting up that move from the start. Sciorra's role has some juicier acting choices later on. It's too bad that the first half is so tired.

This turned out to be a very sleazy movie. Everybody but Annabella Sciorra's character ("Ann Hecker") talks and acts like a pig. Actually, "Hecker" isn't of the highest character, herself, but at least she doesn't talk like trash. Too bad veterans actors Alan Alda and Jill Clayburgh have to join the sleaze crowd, although the latter certainly was no angel in her 1970s films. Anthony LaPaglia was ridiculously profane but that was normal for his movie characters. He only settled down in recent years when he began starring a television show.

Despite the gutter mentality of this story (it isn't just the language),the movie zips along after a slow start and kept your attention. However, it isn't anything memorable, nor recommended.

This was a different look for Sciorra: no New York City accent and a different hairstyle. I almost didn't know it was her. Jamey Sheridan, who now contributes to the hit TV show, "Law and Order: Criminal Intent," also stars, as does the always-strange John Leguizamo.

A pretty standard mystery thriller, but absorbing nonetheless. The sometimes impossibly contrived plot is chock-full of strange coincidences and red herrings, but the film is so competently and professionally made that you can ignore the script's weaknesses and enjoy the work of a director who seems to have a genuine feel for the genre. Most of the performances are also very good, giving weight to their roles and making the movie more respectable. (**1/2)