Review of Body of Evidence (1993) by Timothy S — 21 Jan 2014

There's a special place in cinematic history for pictures like "Body of Evidence", films that are astoundingly bad but also immensely and comically entertaining. This is a shining example, a ridiculous and overheated rip-off of "Basic Instinct" with dialogue and performances that are so much more offensive than the risque subject matter.

The film gained a lot of attention for the sex scenes, which admittedly pushed the boundaries, but frankly because of the overblown and feverish manner in which they were filmed they come as more as ludicrous than sexy. Madonna, however, should be grateful as this is the worst movie she's been in in which she does not give the worst performance. No, that honor belongs to the ridiculous Willem DaFoe. Just watch his hilarious internal struggle he goes through before almost every sex scene. It says, "I know I'm happily married but I just can't resist her.".

If nothing else, the female lead will have this as a record of the time in her life when she looked amazing au naturel. That's something, I guess. The plot twists are absurd, and most of the courtroom scenes involve the judge constantly admonishing DaFoe. By the time you get to what I assume is the "big reveal" at the end, no tricks the movie tries to pull on its audience have any shock value left. You've been left so numb you don't even feel like laughing anymore.

"Body of Evidence" definitely wears out its welcome long before then.