Fatal Beauty (1987)

"Fatal Beauty" may indeed be a crime/comedy/action flick, but for those who have not seen it, there is a serious underlying message that comes over loud and clear about the potential consequences of taking illegal narcotics. There are no underlying messages in the aforementioned Eddie Murphy films. The most moving part of the film is when Whoopi (Rita Razzoli), gives Sam Elliott (Mike Marshak), her reasons for her dedication in fighting the good fight against the targeted crime boss. If you have not seen the film I will not spoil it here by telling you her reason. See the film for yourself.Then we have Sam Elliott, who is an excellent if unwilling partner, to begin with. He is actually head of security for the crime boss (Harris Yulin), tasked with keeping Rita from coming to harm and siding with Rita in two well staged gunfights. I also have to mention Rubin Blades, who actually does a good job, playing the role of Rita's somewhat put upon cop partner. All in all, it's one of my favorite films in this field.Overall rating: 7 out of 10.

Whoopi has been in plenty of good films and a very little bad films. Fatal Beauty is not a bad film but it's not the best Whoopi can give you. I loved Jumpin Jack Flash but this movie doesn't have the appeal that Jumpin Jack Flash did. Fatal Beauty is still worth a look despite its flaws.Plot: Fatal Beauty is in reference to a drug that kills its users within a few hours of its use. Whoopi Goldberg plays Rita Rizzoli, a cop who constantly goes undercover to find crooks and bust them. She stumbles unto the lethal drug called "Fatal Beauty" one night during a bust and is bent on finding out who is supplying it. She has to put up with a corrupted millionaire who she believes is in on the whole operation and his bodyguard Mike Marshak(Sam Elliot) who is attracted to her.Opinion: Fatal Beauty has its share of positives as well as negatives. Positives: Its funny(even though the laughs are sometimes sporadic), there are serious moments in the movie that sometimes work(like Rita revealing why she does what she does), the action scenes are decent, and the movie as a whole is a decent watch. Negatives: The laughs are sporadic, there is no chemistry between Whoopi's character and Sam Elliot's character(hell, there is more chemistry between Boris and Natasha of Rocky and Bullwinkle than these two), Sometimes there are more unintentional laughs then genuine laughs, sometimes the movie feels like a Beverly Hills Cop knockoff(Rita gets so deep into a case that it costs her her job just like Axel Foley). Other than that this movie is still worth watching. Its far from the best movie that Whoopi has been in but its also far from the worst(Theodore Rex and Burglar). Its still worth being in your Whoopi Goldberg collection.

Fatal Beauty has the advantage of allowing Whoopie Goldberg to bounce her keen and cutting wit off Sam Elliott's straight and penetrating gaze. The action is bone-crunching gang-banging blended with South of the Border stylized gun battles, Corporate money, and big drugs.I particularly like this one for Sam Elliott's prominence. He portrays hired muscle for a corporate big wig, who has no idea what his boss is up to. He also has a hint of a love interest with the star, and I found that delightful. His down to earth personality is perfectly cast, and wittingly executed.This one always surprises me.It rates a 7.8/10 on the Buddy Cop Scale from...the Fiend :.

Cher was supposed to play this part and left to be replaced with Whoopi that is probably why this is an odd film. She(Cher ) and Sam Elliott became friendly doing the film "Mask" and wanted to work again. For some unknown reason Cher left at the last minute. Whoopi was "hot" at the time(box office wise) and was offered the part. She should have turned it down. Although she is a good actor,to use her for a part that was tailored for Cher is a bit silly. Proof,once again, that Hollywood producers can make some strange decisions. These events become legendary.Marlon Brando for the "Sundance kid". Thank God cooler heads prevailed.Or,Robert Evans fighting for Alan Delone for the part of Michael in the "Godfather"