The Drifter Reviews

A low-budget ($400,000) Corman production, THE DRIFTER casts Kim Delaney (of TV's "All My Children") as Julia, a successful LA designer who, on the way back from a business trip, has a one-night-stand with mysterious drifter Trey (Miles O'Keeffe). But Trey refuses to leave her alone, and is soon calling her at her home in LA to impart such information as "Sex is a forever thing" and "You'll always know where to find me." Shortly thereafter, Julia's best friend is murdered in her apartment and she becomes convinced that the drifter is out to kill her. The script has lots of holes, which must be filled in at the end in a lumbering and unconvincing explanation. Despite the threadbare plot, however, THE DRIFTER does build up some genuine suspense and tension--mainly through the skills of Delaney, an attractive and believable lead, while O'Keeffe does his best to add to the mood by striking laconic poses. The ultra-low budget is obvious throughout, with jump cuts and mike booms breaking up several scenes, and while director Larry Brand does a nice job of moving the film along, the very thin material undercuts his efforts. It's too bad, since with a somewhat better script this exploitation film could have added up to something more than the predictable product it is.