Bitter Harvest (1993)

Absolutely Fantastic

Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

I bought this film as I thought the cast was decent and I like Jennifer Rubin & Patsy Kensit.First off let me say the acting is not of a high standard. Stephen Baldwin makes his character look almost retarded at times and at other times morose. Patsy Kensit is so-so but not too convincing in some scenes, and the supposed poetry she spouts in a particular scene in her Hotel Room is utterly meaningless rubbish. Ms Kensit is certainly very suggestive and sexy here but ultimately I think Jennifer Rubin is by far the best in this film. Ms Rubins Character is at first innocent, then sexy, as she plays Stephen Baldwin's Character (Travis)for a fool. The supporting cast includes Adam Baldwin(no relation to his more famous namesakes) & M.Emmet Walsh who has appeared in many films, also I noticed Art Evans who was one of John Mclane's allies in Die Hard 2. The Movie is decent and there are a few nude scenes with Rubin & Kensit, a bit of action but this is certainly not a fast moving or intelligent thriller. There is a particular scene when they are in the car about to commit a crime and Stephen Balwin's character is wearing sunglasses and when you see him again, the area around his eyes etc is painted black instead, then the sunglasses reappear later when they are leaving the crime scene and police are in pursuit, a very obvious error in editing. If you are fans of either of the ladies or either Baldwin then you may find something to like here, but others should steer clear. This is a reasonable but unremarkable thriller and not really worth more than a couple of dollars if you want it.

If you like the Baldwin brothers and their acting along with a story mostly about Hot Sex, nudity, murder, you name IT, this is the film for you. Patsy Kensit (Jolene),"Shelter Island,"03, teases and pleases Stephen Baldwin(Travis)"In My Sleep",03, who plays the innocent virgin and enjoys all the tempting things Jolene does to him. Jennifer Rubin (Kelly Ann),"Playmaker",'94, is another gal who enjoys Travis and seems to also like Jolene in bed. You even have Adam Baldwin (Bobby),"Betrayal",'03, the so called police officer trying to do his duty and wonders why Travis is getting all the loving and affection. This is an adult film and has lots of surprises, like just plain throwing certain people into a Hot Flaming Fire! I did notice that the director of this film, Duane Clark, has produced many TV Series for CSI, Miami and Las Vegas and also the film, "The Shaking Tree",'92. I am sure that Duane Clark will direct better films in the future! Lets HOPE!!!!

Women are such cold, calculating and clever creatures. Here, Patsy Kensit teams up with Jennifer Rubin giving a lonely, troubled young farmer (Stephen Baldwin) the blackest of favours. He has vengeance, seduction, excitement but is also corrupted and eventually murdered. Meanwhile the two women acquire money, rare coins, a fall-guy for their crimes, and most importantly, they get their kicks. Its beautiful. Its provocative. But it is on the unrealistic side. There is little verbal communication between the characters. Jolene, the temptress, is the most direct in her dialogue, though she prefers codes and lies. The others communicate almost exclusively through context, body language and sex. I actually really enjoyed this film, but I can see how the general audience could be disappointed. It rents pretty well in NZ, but maybe thats because of the suggestive cover (?).

A truly masterful piece of filmmaking. It managed to put me to sleep and to boggle my mind. So boring that it induces sleep and yet so ludicrous that it made me wonder how stuff like this gets made. Avoid at all costs. That is, unless you like taking invisible cranial punishment, in which case I highly recommend it.