Sea of Love (1989)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Harold Becker

Writer (WGA):

Richard Price (written by)

Release Date:

15 September 1989 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Thriller | Drama

Tagline:

In search of a killer, he found someone who's either the love of his life... or the end of it.

Plot:

Frank Keller is a New York detective investigating a case of a serial killer who finds the victims through the lonely hearts column in newspapers...

Plot Keywords:

Detective | Suspect | Love | Investigation | Single

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 1 nomination

Cast

Al Pacino	...	Det. Frank Keller
Ellen Barkin	...	Helen Cruger
John Goodman	...	Det. Sherman
Michael Rooker	...	Terry
William Hickey	...	Frank Keller Sr.
Richard Jenkins	...	Gruber
Paul Calderon	...	Serafino
Gene Canfield	...	Struk
Larry Joshua	...	Dargan
John Spencer	...	Lieutenant
Christine Estabrook	...	Gina Gallagher / Lonelyheart
Barbara Baxley	...	Miss Allen
Patricia Barry	...	Older Woman
Mark Phelan	...	Murdered Man
Michael O'Neill	...	Raymond Brown

Runtime:

112 min | USA:113 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:14 (original rating) | Iceland:16 (video rating) | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 | Singapore:M18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R | West Germany:16 | Spain:18

Filming Locations:

New York, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

According to the documentary included with the DVD, included in the final cut of the film is a scene where Al Pacino's character gets rudely bumped into on 5th Avenue while trying to court Ellen Barkin's character. According to the director this was an unscripted moment caused by a real New Yorker and not an extra. Pacino incorporates the moment into his performance and continues without missing a beat.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Frank visits Helen in the shoe store, she takes his shoe off. He never puts it back on, and he leaves the store in a huff.

Quotes:

Det. Frank Keller: It's called making people feel good about themselves so that they'll cooperate with you and help you to do your job. You should try it some time.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Heat (1995)

Soundtrack:

BEYOND THE SEA

I Liked It Better Than My Friends Did

Some of my friends thought this is one of those films that is great the first time you see it, but diminishes after that because the heavy suspense questions have been answered. However, Al Pacino, Ellen Barkin and John Goodman are all so entertaining to watch that I've always enjoyed this film no matter how many times I've seen it.

The suspense is what this film is all about, but I am fascinated with these actors, including supporting performances by Michael Rooker and William Hickey. Although her looks are a little hard and her mouth way too profane for my tastes, Barkin never looked better and sexier. That Pacino's character, "Detective Frank Keller" would fall for her is understandable, especially know what part of his anatomy is doing the "talking." However, adultery, once again is excused in this film along with other not-so-moral acts so this isn't a film you want to show to your church group. All three of the leads are very weak, ethically-speaking.

The fact that this film can go on for almost two hours with very little action and still keep you riveted to your seat speaks highly of its entertainment value. Why critics knocked it so much, I don't know. Hey, it's good entertainment. What more do you want?