Neither director William Friedkin nor star David Caruso could redeem this vulgar, nasty script by Joe Eszterhas. Caruso is a politically ambitious assistant D.A. investigating the gruesome murder of a San Francisco bigwig.... more » Too many clues point in the direction of his former girlfriend (Linda Fiorentino), a shrink who has a secret sideline as call girl to the rich and kinky. For good measure, she's now married to Caruso's best friend, Chazz Palminteri. Friedkin has done much better work in other places; even he can't perform much magic here, though he tries, with a solid car chase (that suffers in comparison to those he staged in French Connection and To Live and Die in L.A.). --Marshall Fine« less
Daniel B. (MooVJunkE) from SAINT CLOUD, MN Reviewed on 3/14/2014...
Bor-ing! ..Suspense? Uh, not really. My wife and I were calling out quotes and the next 'reveal' during the movie. The only good thing- it's a short movie and we didn't lose too much of lives on this one. Save yourself- deny the transaction when I post this stinker into the system! :)
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Movie Reviews
Mystery and suspense at its best
Felecia Constance Rowe | 07/01/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Some fantasies go too far. Money, sex and power are the things that most corrupt Los Angeles citizens in the modern world and in the classy thriller "Jade", penned by "Basic Instinct" screenwriter Joe Eszterhas and directed by "The Exorcist" director William Friedkin. This is a film I will definitely run out and buy on DVD now that I just got a DVD player. The film, despite many peoples' horrible opinions, is mystery and suspense at its best, delievring powerful dialogue, a chilling and provocative musical score, and unique directing and editing. Not to mention the terrific car chase scene that took the cast and crew three weeks to shoot in the cooperative Chinatown in California. Car chase scenes have become a trifle trite, however it remains tastefully done and riveting in this also riveting film. "Jade" shows that there is a dark side to people of high and low levels of power, and that they will commit heinous and destructive acts to remain in the chair of power, and as clinical psychologist Katrina Gavin (the wonderful and talented Linda Fiorentino) says, "The people who commit these acts are in many ways no different from you and me. But they are no longer able to control their urges. They disassociate themselves from their own actions, often experiencing an hysterical blindness. They are blind to the darkness within themselves.""
Good movie, bad dvd
05/01/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"While I think this movie is very fun and trashy, the DVD has only the r-rated version. On video, one can buy the unrated director's cut, which has about 10 minutes added (this includes a little more nudity, dialogue and the ending is changed substantially). Just buy the video, and the film was shot at an aspect ration of 1:1.85, so you're not missing that much since it's not letterboxed."
Jade is an seducing film by Linda Fiorentino
Felecia Constance Rowe | Pensacola, FL United States | 10/07/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Basic Instinct screenwriter Joe Esterhas' wicked knowledge of the trangsgressions of the rich and the powerful are deftly exposed by director William Friedkin and Linda Fiorentino. She is perfectly cast as the psychologist and as the illicit liason Jade. Chazz Palminteri, her husband, and David Caruso, a tad young for the role, makes for an interesting storyline. The graphic sexuality exhibited is for adults only but the movie delivers the seedy underbelly of politics and power and illustrates how a woman scorned can enter into a circle from which she has no escape. Unlike the Last Seduction, Fiorentino is the victim and not the temptress yearning for the love she doesn't have. Unfortunately, her husband isn't it either. With Loreena McKennitt's soulful sounds and Linda's great performance, she eventually gets under your skin as a woman looking for love in all the wrong places. Maybe that was the moral rather than Joe Esterhas's preoccupation with all the women he couldn't have in high school (as one critic wrote). Deftly directed, superbly acted, and well-executed. Jade is worth a watch only because of Linda Fiorentino's emotional resonance and convincing performance. Chazz is as excellent as ever. -Felecia Constance Rowe"
A good thriller, I must say a highlight for even Caruso.
kyle porter | Bellevue, Washington | 04/15/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This film first intrigued me because I'm always interested in thrillers like "Rising Sun" or "Sliver", mostly because I really love those solemn-turn-to-explosive kind of films. I always seem to find a good amount of adreneline in these movies, even where most people only see uneventful and boring elements. In fact those scenes, which can be seen with amazing clarity in "Jade", have a subtle emotional intensity that brings out a sense of sophistication, and fulfills a lot of reality within these situations. It's wonderful how strong this film was in all departments: plot, performance, action, emotion, atmosphere, and ability to make a strong mark in the thriller genre. You will also enjoy Caruso's performance, as he does that kind of character well, but you won't be able to forget Linda Fiorentino's and Palminteri's great performances. It has it's share of good ol' American film noir intrigue: infidelity, paranoia, political corruption, and a few car chases, but all of those things are accomplished extremely well in this film, setting a standard for those elements, I'm sure. And if you could make a big deal about "Ronin"'s car chases, then this cool caper will give you a coronary."
Jade - Good film
Felecia Constance Rowe | 07/18/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Having seen this film on video i was really looking forward to seeing it on dvd but i think the video version is a lot better the uncut version is espesially better as it contains more nudidty and the ending is diffrent linda firentino is brilliant and i particually like the bedroom scene when she as a stocking over her head (strange or what) overall the film as many twists and turns and is really enjoyable i would recomend getting it"