Fatal Beauty (1987)

Why so much hype?

One of my all time favorites.

Memorable, crazy movie

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

Whoopi Goldberg succeeds in adding spunk, wit, and a little heart in what could have been a boring pro forma shoot-em-up. Tired cop movie clichés suddenly seem fresh with a woman, especially one as charismatic as Whoopi in the lead role.She and Sam Elliot have an undeniable chemistry that's evident from the moment they appear on screen together for the first time. Go figure!The film is pretty climatic; shoot outs where the bad guys miss and the good guys don't, and some moments where the hero's in a jam but their partner appears out of nowhere to save the day, etc.But the film is full of solid, engrossing performances, particularly Goldberg, Elliot, and Dourif, and an engaging, albeit derivative plot.Overall not a bad way to kill an hour and some change.6.5 stars.

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"

I actually worked in the film Fatal Beauty. Now, dont get me wrong, I didnt have any lines, and wasnt actually a character in it. I was what you call ATMOSPHERE. The atmosphere people are the ones that walk around in the background of scenes. I had heard from a friend that there was a new Whoopi Goldberg film in the process, and that they needed more atmosphere people for one or two of the scenes. I jumped at the chance and ran down. They were filming the beginning credit scenes in down town East Los Angeles.... and I mean the deepest of EAST LOS ANGELES!!!! First, they dressed me up as a male prostitute, and then later as a .... I guess you would say a JOHN.... you know, the ones that pay the prostitues, or at least thats what they told me.And you can actually see me in the final cut... nope, this guy didnt end up on the cutting room floor!! In the beginning of the film, you see Whoopi walking down the street, as she heads to a local bar in which she is wearing a leopard print gold jacket , yellow mini skirt, blonde wig, and sunglasses in the shape of two hands with red fingernails. Just befor she enters the bar,... (credits still rolling, and music playing), they do a camera shot of the bar from accross the street..... THATS WHERE YOU SEE ME!! I walk right in front of the camera with my arm over the shoulder of an absolutely beautiful woman. And, WHALA!!! Im imortalized in a Whoopi Goldberg film forever!! I had a blast!!.... And yes, I did like the film. As far as Im concerned,.... Whoopi Goldberg doesnt make bad films!! There was lots of action, a little romance, and fine acting. A must see..... and dont forget to look for me!:) Sincerly, Scott Christopher

Rita Rizzoli (Whoopi Goldberg) is going to put the drug king out of business who is producing a deadly drug that's killing people off at an alarming rate. The drug king's top security man, Mike Marshak (Sam Elliott), takes a shine to Rita, although we aren't sure why. I spent the entire film thinking he might be an undercover cop -not so. Had it been any other actor besides Elliott I think this flaw might have prevented the film from being believable. But Elliott, and his cool, understated style just swept me away with his obvious attraction to Rita. There are some very moving moments, some frighteningly real back alley scenes of drug dealings and shootout after shootout. I didn't know what to expect with this film, and was hoping Whoopi would sail with it. She did!