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Crime Scene

2003, Movie, R, 90 mins

Crime Scene: Review

Model Amber Smith should keep her day job; as a leading lady, the curvaceous actress is too lightweight to carry a film. When a young woman is strangled, Detective Charlie Harmon (Smith) recognizes the mo as that of a serial psycho dubbed "the Baptist." But Charlie killed the Baptist — is this new murder the work of a copycat killer, or did Charlie kill the wrong man? The list of other suspects includes the victim's boyfriend and a sex offender named Johnny Xavier (Orien Richman), but the crime scene is suffused with the heavy scent of Parisian perfume; perhaps they're looking for a murderess. Filled with sekf-doubt, Charlie is in no shape to handle personal complications like her ex-boyfriend, Terry (Chris Flanders), exhibits unwarranted jealousy towards Charlie's current partner, Scott Trickle (Cortney Allen). Charlie tells Terry to back off and immerses herself in the world of perverse psychology by interviewing Xavier's shrink, Dr. Morgan Chase (Billie Jean Kirkland). Dr. Chase, a crime writer who studied the Baptist, takes her research into the psychology of predators very personally. Although Dr. Chase eventually seduces Charlie, Charlie remains suspicious about the doctor's involvement — is Chase framing Xavier or protecting someone else? The crime spree continues, and bisexual Charlie could be the next target. Perhaps Charlie and Scott have been focussing on the wrong name in Dr. Chase's rolodex; if Charlie killed the real Baptist and Xavier is a fall guy, could Dr. Chase be priming another patient to kill? Serious fans of serial killer thrillers should give this fan a wide berth; its appeal is strictly cheesecake — the entire perfectly coifed cast seems to be posing for a girlie magazine's fantasy cop-show spread. Star Smith is doubly compromised by her resemblance to Farrah Fawcett — always the least convincing of Charlie's Angels — and the drippy screenplay, but she always looks great. leave a comment --Robert Pardi