Two FBI agents, Elizabeth Anderson (Julia Ormond) and Sam Hallaway (Bill Pullman), arrive at a local police station in the Santa Fe desert to investigate a series of murders. They interrogate three eyewitnesses: Police officer Jack Bennet, the meth-addict Bobby, and Stephanie, an eight-year-old girl, whose family was murdered by two figures dressed in jumpsuits and latex masks. —IMDb
Jennifer Chambers Lynch (born April 7, 1968) is an American film director and screenwriter, best known for writing the book The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer and for writing and directing the 1993 feature film Boxing Helena.
Lynch was educated in Los Angeles and Michigan (at the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy) and, as a teen, worked as a production assistant on her father’s Blue Velvet (1986). She authored The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer to accompany the Twin Peaks television show (1990) and wrote an episode of the popular science-fiction television series Friday the 13th: The Series (also in 1990).
Her commissioned screenplay for Boxing Helena, which she would later go on to direct, attracted many actresses, including Madonna. Sherilyn Fenn ultimately played the part of Helena. Kim Basinger was also attached and was famously sued after walking away. The controversy surrounding that case, as well as feminist outcry over Helena’s sadistic subject matter and accusations… read more
After an awkward start, it hits its stride to become an entertaining pulp thriller. Unfortunately, it gives away what could have been an effective twist early on - but the cast is spirited and the filmmaking stylish. Despite its flaws (it goes a bit overboard toward the end), it has enough strange and effective moments to make it a solid effort that shows Jennifer Lynch may yet have talent as a filmmaker.
Mediocre film that completely squanders a brilliant premise and a game cast. Avoid, avoid, avoid. It's not even so bad it's good, it's just meh.
I was completely surprised by this film and found it not only enjoyable, though dark and uncomfortable as Bill A. describes, but very much in the tradition of her father - though admittedly, this film is by far nowhere near as abstract as his. I think she did a great job working with Julia Ormond and Bill Pullman who as of late seem often flat and listless. Very watchable and a must see for Lynch fans.