Femme Fatale Reviews

Lisa Zane and Colin Firth star in FEMME FATALE, an involving drama about a woman with a complicated past and an even more complicated personality. Newlyweds Cynthia (Zane) and Joe Prince (Firth), have a seemingly happy life in the California hills. Then one morning, Joe wakes up and finds a note with Cynthia's wedding band placed on top of it. It reads: "I don't know who you are." Joe frantically gets dressed and drives to Los Angeles to stay with his friend Elijah (Billy Zane, Lisa's brother). Once in L.A., Joe posts "missing" flyers and interviews locals. A tattoo artist informs him that Cynthia hangs out with the avant-garde crowd. Joe checks out a local art gallery and sees her picture on a video poster. He obtains a copy of the tape and then contacts the producer, Jenny Purge (Lisa Blount). Jenny reveals that Cynthia is not his wife's real name. What's more, Jenny informs him that his wife sold drugs and had an affair with her. Totally perplexed at this point, Joe looks up Cynthia's psychiatrist, Dr. Beaumont (Scott Wilson), to get the whole story. Beaumont is reluctant at first to talk about Cynthia, but finally relents. He then shows Joe a film he made of her while she was institutionalized. Cynthia, it seems, is about six different people--she's suffering from multiple personality disorder. Beaumont explains that she was abused by her crazy mother who committed suicide when Cynthia was only 12 years old. As Joe continues his search, he is abducted by thugs looking for Cynthia. They claim she took off with their cocaine and their money. When Joe returns to Elijah's studio, he discovers the place has been destroyed. Later that day, Joe returns to Beaumont's office and finds Cynthia living there. Cynthia, it turns out, is Beaumont's daughter, who was sexually abused by her father. Joe takes Cynthia home with him, even though she doesn't recognize him. That evening, the same crooks who abducted Joe before return for their money. Cynthia turns over the money and no one is harmed. Joe resumes living with Cynthia, convinced that he can help her. Michael Ferris and John D. Brancato have written an interesting screenplay with sympathetic characters. The note left by Cynthia in the beginning of the film cleverly sets the tone for the mystery that is about to unfold. Andre Guttfreund has directed a talented cast in a film with a psychological focus that doesn't get bogged down by psycho-lingo or overly simplistic explanations. Also, Joe and Cynthia's relationship is told through flashbacks, but it's done in a very non-distracting way. The only real flaw in FEMME FATALE is Joe's misguided assumption that he, a botanist and painter, can help someone who is obviously severely disturbed. (Profanity, sexual situations, nudity.)