Perfect Prey (1998)

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

(There are Spoilers) Having been kidnapped and abused some ten years ago when she attended Texas State University Texas Ranger criminal behavior expert Audrey MacLean, Kelly McGillis, had become the top state authority in what makes serial killers and kidnappers tick. Called to instigate a series of kidnap/murders in and around the Huston area Audery is spooked by how the killer, or killers, abducted and murdered his or their victims. It was very much like what happened to her some ten years ago when she was a med student at Texas U.The movie "Perfect Pray" has the psycho serial/killer painting his lips in ruby red lipstick after he kidnaps and torture his victims and then suffocates them with a plastic bag tied around their heads. Were not kept from knowing who this nut-case is since we're exposed to him almost as soon as the movie starts so there's no suspenses that he's the creepy and beady eyed antique dealer Daniel T. Wallace, David Keith. Wallace is a real sicko in his actions even for a serial killer with him torturing his terrified victims to the point were death is almost a relief and blessing to them.There's also a sub-plot in the movie involving convicted serial killer Harlan Evens, Clyton Murray, who is supposed to be he person who kidnapped Audery some ten years ago and even confessed to the crime. When It soon becomes obvious that Evens was not the person who kidnapped Audery, the weird psycho just took credit for it, it become a central part of the story why she didn't bring that out on his trial. Evens in fact did murder six other women and at the same time allowed the real kidnapper and serial killer to be free and eventually murder some half dozen people.Wallace, who later turned to out be former Texas U student Dwayne Alan Clay, seems to be at war with women who are well educated and successful in their field of employment like Audery is and takes out his frustrations on them. H does that by kidnapping torturing and brutally murdering them. The fact that Audery, his first victim, got away from him makes it more important in him kidnapping and killing her tying all the loose ends together in his insane war against humanity.We also get an insight into what is driving the crazed Clay and that has to do with his treatment as a little boy, the fact of his obsession with lipstick is a good clue, by his abusive and drug addict mother. Clay murdered her when he was just ten years old by burning her and the house down. Clay was also obsessed with his late grandma's doll collection. Murdereing woman who resembled the dolls laying them out after he murdered them like a doll on display like at his antique stand at the county fair. Audrey seem to be so traumatized by her abduction and treatment by Clay ten years ago that later when she came face to face with the deranged lunatic she didn't at all, even though he did, recognize him.The ending was a bit overdone with the emotionally crippled Audery turning into a female "Dirty Harry", or "Dirty Harriet". Taking on the crazed and homicidal Clay one on on on his home turf, his late grandma's doll house, and blasting him to pieces before the calvary,in the form of the Huston PD, came to her rescue.

I have to say I didn't expect too much when I decided to watch this movie. Well it turned out to be a pretty good thriller. It makes you think a little, so I would say the plot's got something good too. I gave 7/10 stars.

Described as a TV movie, I don't know whether "Perfect Prey" was planned as a TV pilot. Far worse have been deemed suitable for series production. I don't think this watchable piece of work got the exposure it deserved when it first appeared. This is a better than average serial killer thriller. The main characters are certainly well cast.Kelly McGillis is a natural as the troubled but intelligent and determined investigator, Audrey Maclean. David Keith's performance as the handsome, persuasive killer is chilling. Watching him, you can truly believe that evil is abroad and relishing the suffering of its victims. Bruce Dern does well with the part of Captain Swaggert, with murders on his hands he knows are beyond the abilities of his team to solve without the fresh eye of outside help. Interested viewers will, I'm sure, enjoy the contrast in characterization between Dern's lawman in this movie and his marvellously venal sheriff in "Last man Standing". Last but by no means least, D W Moffett shows real style with his Detective Jimmy Cerullo.There's a pleasing professionalism about the rest of the cast, who aren't well known. Their work helps to ensure an enjoyable movie. Particularly worth a mention is the young actress given the thankless role of the murder victim in the pink dress. With her body propped up against a nodding donkey, her frozen eyes allow a peek into hell for the imaginative movie watcher. The feeling of brooding sadness in the scene surfaces at various times during the duration of the film, and adds considerable atmosphere.The movie is effectively directed by Howard McCain and nicely scripted by Robert McDonnell. There's some neat editing by Hanneh Rudkilde. The rest of the crew weren't asleep on the job either. What really damages "Perfect Prey" is the marked resemblance of the plot to that of "The Silence of the Lambs", which many of its potential audience will have seen. In my opinion Kelly McGillis is a more believable investigator than the otherwise admirable Jodie Foster, but that, as they say, is neither here nor there.It's worth a look, seek it out next time you intend making the sofa look untidy for a couple of hours.

Not sure why this movie got such mediocre ratings - it was well acted, well written, and well casted - - and most importantly, suspenseful!It's downfall is only that it is totally reminiscent of Silence of the Lambs.. If you liked Silence, you'll probably like this movie too.It had everything from the serial killer on the loose to the interview with the psychopathic killer in jail (sniffing the air, even!).. But, I loved Silence - and though I didn't realize the similarities until the end, this held my attention up until the last suspenseful minute.Well worth my two hours! Bruce Dern and Kelly McGillis stood out in their roles - good casting.. good movie..