Stylish but ultimately hollow and implausible thriller which sees Debra Winger's Justice Department investigator pursue Theresa Russell's kill 'em with love murdering newlywed of a wife. It follows the format of a screed of contemporary 80's thrillers with attractive leads playing rich and beautiful people living fabulous lifestyles, with dangerous designs on their partners, a convoluted plot-line and of course a big twist at the conclusion. Where "Black Widow" falls down is in the sheer far-fetchedness of its story as we're expected to believe in Russell as a serial-killer with what must be a strange addiction to the wedding march and confetti.
She also has an unerring talent for seeking out rich bachelors and then not only charming them into marriage but also to will their fortunes to her in the short time available to them in between the "I do's" and his death rattle. Somehow, while investigating a mob-death, married-to-the-job agent Winger picks up Russell's scent and before you can count four has trailed her to her latest intended (victim) in Hawaii.
From there it's a duel between the two of them as to who can get the better of the other over latest squeeze Paul, which is left in doubt until the last reel. I just found the plot had more holes than a string vest, never buying into the Winger/ Russell friendship, even with its lesbian overtones, which only seemed to be inserted for shock value in any case. Did I believe in Russell as a femme-fatale with the looks and smarts to seduce and reduce the men in her life? No, again.
Director Rafaelson tries to keep us guessing throughout and also sexes things up when he can, but in the end it's all too ludicrous for words and collapses under the weight of its own pretensions.
She also has an unerring talent for seeking out rich bachelors and then not only charming them into marriage but also to will their fortunes to her in the short time available to them in between the "I do's" and his death rattle. Somehow, while investigating a mob-death, married-to-the-job agent Winger picks up Russell's scent and before you can count four has trailed her to her latest intended (victim) in Hawaii.
From there it's a duel between the two of them as to who can get the better of the other over latest squeeze Paul, which is left in doubt until the last reel. I just found the plot had more holes than a string vest, never buying into the Winger/ Russell friendship, even with its lesbian overtones, which only seemed to be inserted for shock value in any case. Did I believe in Russell as a femme-fatale with the looks and smarts to seduce and reduce the men in her life? No, again.
Director Rafaelson tries to keep us guessing throughout and also sexes things up when he can, but in the end it's all too ludicrous for words and collapses under the weight of its own pretensions.