Review of Poison Candy (1989) by Monsieur R — 18 Oct 2010

One of those films easy to dismiss as mild entertainment in the first half, don't be fooled. The last half is a killer.

Crafty little girls on Florida coastline witness outlaw couple making love on the beach by a man (John Hurt) and his mistress. This is vividly done and one of the girls, Thelma, takes a picture. Watch this to the end, it's worth the wait.

The blackmail begins. Hurt and mistress get natually upset despite the age of the girls, only 9 years old. Not really knowing that their new little friends on the coast are up to no good, the screws start to turn on their little hide-a-way beach cottage. The parents have no clue what is going on.

Unsettling and hardly innocent film about mischievious girls and one, Thelma, who's as devious as hell and wicked. Hardly probable story, but supposedly possible about a little girl that watches violent shows on television.

Well shot and acted, John Hurt (The Elephant Man) elevates the film even though his mistress is half his age. Both are on the run from from the law and thinking they're safe at a beach side cottage.

The title? What could it mean? On discovering that Thelma is a habitual blackmailer from her brother, John Hurt says: "little sweetheart".

Can all this happen, doubt it, but just don't give a camera to little girls. Watch this to the end as it ramps up to more than a lightweight movie as it appears in the beginning.

The ending is a twist worth waiting for, just before the credits roll.

And, oh yes, say CHEESE!

Stars John Hurt, Karen Young, Cassie Barasch, Ellie Raab, Barbara Bosson, John McMartin, Guy Boyd, James Waterston, Jack Gilpin, Ann McDonough, Gary Basaraba, Claude Brooks, Gene Densmore, Rose Parra, Jimmy Williams, Phil Hunt, Jessica Saunders.

Director: Anthony Simmons.

Director: Anthony Simmons.

Studio: Nelson Entertainment.