X
  • 1983
  • R
  • The Ladd Company
  • 1 h 43 m
  • 1983
  • R
  • The Ladd Company
  • 1 h 43 m

Summary Bob Fosse's view of morality in the 1980's. A successful young model finds trouble when her obsessive manager-turned-husband, a small-time hustler and pimp, becomes dangerously jealous. Based on the true story of 1980 Playmate of the Year Dorothy Stratten.

Directed By: Bob Fosse

Written By: Teresa Carpenter, Bob Fosse

  • 1983
  • R
  • The Ladd Company
  • 1 h 43 m
  • 1983
  • R
  • The Ladd Company
  • 1 h 43 m

Star 80

Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 13 Critic Reviews
63
User Score Generally Favorable Based on 7 User Ratings
6.4
My Score
Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Where to Watch

Summary Bob Fosse's view of morality in the 1980's. A successful young model finds trouble when her obsessive manager-turned-husband, a small-time hustler and pimp, becomes dangerously jealous. Based on the true story of 1980 Playmate of the Year Dorothy Stratten.

Directed By: Bob Fosse

Written By: Teresa Carpenter, Bob Fosse

Where to Watch

Top Cast

View All
View All Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 13 Critic Reviews
63
54% Positive
7 Reviews
38% Mixed
5 Reviews
8% Negative
1 Review

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 13 Critic Reviews
63
54% Positive
7 Reviews
38% Mixed
5 Reviews
8% Negative
1 Review

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
100
I think this is an important movie. Devastating, violent, hopeless, and important, because it holds a mirror up to a part of the world we live in, and helps us see it more clearly. In particular, it examines the connection between fame and obscurity, between those who have a moment of praise and notoriety, and those who see themselves condemned to stand always at the edge of the spotlight.
By Roger Ebert FULL REVIEW
90
An engrossing, unsentimental and unavoidably depressing account of the short life and ghastly death of Playmate-actress Dorothy Stratten.
FULL REVIEW
80
Brilliant and sickening...A must-see that is guaranteed to ruin your day.
FULL REVIEW
70
Make no mistake about it: Miss Hemingway, a beauty who looks a lot like Miss Stratten, is not giving an impersonation but a true performance, as fully realized as the somewhat limited circumstances allow. There is an alertness, humor and intelligence to her work that immediately identifies her as one of our best young film actresses, someone who reinvents character in her own image rather than simply miming it.
By Vincent Canby FULL REVIEW
50
It never ventures close enough to the victims to inspire profound reflections on the pity and terror of it all. [12 Nov 1983, p.C1]
By Gary Arnold FULL REVIEW
40
Bob Fosse clearly believes he has tumbled across something of deep significance in the story of murdered Playmate Dorothy Stratten, but when push comes to shove, he has no idea what it is—and the film quickly degenerates into a hypocritically artsy interpretation of the standard slasher formula.
By Dave Kehr FULL REVIEW
30
Mariel Hemmingway tries hard as Dorothy, but she's all wrong for the part - she's simply not a bunny type. Fosse must believe that he can make art out of anything - that he doesn't need a writer to create characters, that he can just take the idea of a pimp murdering a pinup and give it such razzle-dazzle that it will shake people to the marrow. He uses his whole pack of tricks - flashbacks, interviews, shock cuts, the works - to keep the audience in a state of dread. He piles up such an accumulation of sordid scenes that the movie is nauseated by itself.
By Pauline Kael FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 7 User Ratings
6.4
71% Positive
5 Ratings
14% Mixed
1 Rating
14% Negative
1 Rating

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 7 User Ratings
6.4
71% Positive
5 Ratings
14% Mixed
1 Rating
14% Negative
1 Rating

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

Details

 View All
Production Company The Ladd Company
Release Date Nov 10, 1983
Duration 1 h 43 m
Rating R
Genres
Tagline She was every man's dream - and one man's obsession.
View All Details

Awards

Golden Globes, USA
• 1 Nomination
Boston Society of Film Critics Awards
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
Berlin International Film Festival
• 1 Nomination

Related Movies

Related News

2024 Movie Release Calendar

2024 Movie Release Calendar

Jason Dietz

Find release dates for every movie coming to theaters, VOD, and streaming throughout 2024 and beyond, updated weekly.

  • movie
Every Zack Snyder Movie, Ranked

Every Zack Snyder Movie, Ranked

Nick Hyman

With the arrival of Zack Snyder's latest Rebel Moon chapter on Netflix, we rank every one of the director's films—from bad to, well, less bad—by Metascore.

  • movie
Every Guy Ritchie Movie, Ranked

Every Guy Ritchie Movie, Ranked

Nick Hyman

We rank every one of the British director's movies by Metascore, from his debut Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels to his brand new film, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare.

  • movie
April Movie Preview (2024)

April Movie Preview (2024)

Keith Kimbell

The month ahead will bring new films from Alex Garland, Luca Guadagnino, Dev Patel, and more. To help you plan your moviegoing options, our editors have selected the most notable films releasing in April 2024, listed in alphabetical order.

  • movie
DVD/Blu-ray Releases: New & Upcoming

DVD/Blu-ray Releases: New & Upcoming

Jason Dietz

Find a list of new movie and TV releases on DVD and Blu-ray (updated weekly) as well as a calendar of upcoming releases on home video.

  • movie