Body Of Evidence
|
Leading Role:
Rebecca Carlson |
Director:
Uli Edel |
Studio:
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
US Box Office (US$)
US$ 13,273,595 |
Body of Evidence, filmed in 1992, released in 1993, is an erotic thriller produced by Dino De Laurentiis and distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It was directed by Uli Edel and stars Madonna and Willem Dafoe, with Joe Mantegna, Anne Archer, Julianne Moore and Jürgen Prochnow in supporting roles.
Madonna's performance in the film was universally derided by film critics and it marked her fourth film acting performance to be widely panned, following Shanghai Surprise, Who's That Girl and Bloodhounds of Broadway.
Plot
In Portland, Oregon, a wealthy man, Andrew Marsh, has died, while apparently viewing a homemade pornographic tape. The police suspect that the woman having sex with Marsh in the film, Rebecca Carlson (Madonna), may have murdered her older lover for personal gain. Her lawyer is Frank Dulaney (Willem Dafoe), a happily married man.
Rebecca claims to have been unaware that Marsh had a heart condition or that he had altered his will, leaving her a large sum of money. District attorney Robert Garrett (Joe Mantegna) believes that she, aware of both facts, deliberately induced a heart attack in the victim with vigorous sexual activity.
Rebecca is arrested and charged with the crime. Released on bail, she justifies her sex life to Frank, who goes home and has passionate sex with his wife (Julianne Moore).
As the trial begins, DA Garrett tells the jury that it is of no consequence if it was Rebecca's sexual prowess which killed Marsh; what matters is whether she intended to murder him. Frank argues that the state's case is ludicrous, that "it is not a crime to be a beautiful woman who falls in love with a wealthy older man."
Frank is clearly lusting after Rebecca, who allows him to see her naked while she is receiving acupuncture and flirts with him before spurning his advances. Eventually, the two embark on a sadomasochistic affair.
During their first sexual encounter, Frank notices too late that Rebecca is tying his arms behind his back using his own belt, telling Frank that they will have sex "my way." Rebecca removes Frank's underwear, but leaves hers on, clearly demonstrating her dominance. Rebecca then teases and torments Frank by pouring hot candle wax onto his chest, stomach, and finally his penis, before relieving the burn with champagne, while Frank can only watch helplessly. Rebecca is both amused and aroused by the pain and humiliation she is causing Frank.
Their rough sex, with Rebecca in complete control, is an obvious counterpoint to their relationship in the courtroom, where Frank is the one in control. The next morning, while showering, Frank is shocked by how obvious the burn marks from the wax are on his skin. He rushes to cover them before his wife notices.
A key witness for the prosecution, Marsh's doctor, Alan Paley (Jürgen Prochnow), is revealed in court by Frank to be an extremely unreliable witness, as he was (apparently) trying to blackmail Rebecca into having a sexual relationship with him. Pleased with Frank's performance in court, Rebecca allows him to perform oral sex on her in an underground car park.
The testimony of Marsh's private secretary, Joanne Braslow (Anne Archer), reveals that she also had a sexual relationship with Marsh that could have contributed to his death, casting a reasonable doubt as to Carlson's guilt.
A new witness, unexpected by Frank, proves extremely damaging to the defence. Jeffery Roston (Frank Langella), a wealthy older man with a bad heart just like Marsh, testifies that he had a relationship with Rebecca during which he made her the primary beneficiary in his will. When asked to describe their sex life, Roston states that Rebecca would always force him to have sex "her way", and on one occasion had tied him to the bed with his belt, then not allowed him to orgasm, despite him begging her, testimony that clearly resonates with Frank. Roston claims that after he had heart surgery and was well again, Rebecca abruptly left, with no explanation.
Frank and Rebecca clash angrily after the testimony in court. Frank goes to meet his wife at a restaurant, only to discover that she is aware of his affair. He tries to lie, but learns Rebecca phoned his wife, who also has noticed the burn marks on his body.
Frank rushes to confront Rebecca at her house. Initially she claims that she called because she wanted to know if Frank still intended to represent her. Rebecca then taunts him with certain things she could have told his wife, including advice on her sex life. Frank shoves Rebecca to the ground. She opens her robe, revealing her half naked body, and begins to masturbate. Frank cannot resist, but when Rebecca tries to handcuff Frank, he is furious at having been manipulated by her again, and manacles her wrists to a bedpost, yanks down her briefs, and sodomises her.
Having found evidence which indicates that Joanne Braslow might have murdered Marsh because of jealousy over Rebecca's relationship with him, Rebecca insists that Frank allow her to testify on her own behalf. Frank relents.
Rebecca's testimony convinces the jury, who acquit her. Before leaving court, she mockingly thanks her attorney for getting a guilty client off, fully aware that he cannot repeat what she said.
Frank goes that night to Rebecca's home, where he finds her with Alan Paley, discussing the manner in which they conspired to kill Marsh, with Paley as a "reverse character witness" (he makes her look guilty, only to have his testimony completely undermined). Rebecca bluntly tells Frank and Paley that she used her sexual prowess to get whatever she wanted from both of them, as well as Marsh.
Now free and clear because she cannot be tried for the same crime twice, Rebecca proceeds to taunt Paley, telling him to leave because "I've forgotten you already." An enraged Paley lashes out at her and, after Frank pulls him off, Paley shoots her twice. She plunges from a window to her death.
Reception and controversy
The film was almost universally panned by critics and was nominated for six Golden Raspberries, including Worst Picture, Worst Actor (Willem Dafoe), Worst Director, Worst Supporting Actress (Anne Archer) and Worst Screenplay, with Madonna winning Worst Actress. It also appeared on the 2005 list of Roger Ebert's most hated films. The screenplay and performances were especially disparaged. Body of Evidence has a 6% rating over at Rotten Tomatoes based on 34 reviews.
Body of Evidence also exacerbated an already burgeoning controversy about Madonna's frequent association with pornography. Before its release she had already published her soft-core coffee table book Sex, and the film features her and Dafoe's characters in graphic scenes of simulated rape, cunnilingus, anal and public intercourse.
Box office
Body of Evidence performed poorly at the box office. In its second week it experienced a 60% drop.
Background
Technically, 'Body of Evidence' should not be included on this website being a 1993 release. However, it was filmed and produced in 1992 along with much of the promotional material - the US promotional press kit and photos being helpfully dated to prove the point. Also while the video itself was released in 1993 it is included not just for consistency but also because it states 1992 with regard to the actual film.
For Madonna fans and collectors, her appearances on celluloid where often to be viewed with trepidation, such was Madonna's reputation. After being slated in prior movies in which she had taken the lead role (Shanghai Surprise / Who's That Girl) Madonna had wisely taken a back seat in her choice of subsequent roles. This is was perhaps not entirely her choice as producers now questioned her ability to carry a movie in a lead role. However, supporting roles in commercial hits 'Dick Tracy' and in particular 'A League Of Their Own' (where Madonna had not been required to sing), had finally garnered favourable reviews, albeit that it was often pointed out that in both of these roles Madonna was more or less only required to play an extension of herself. Nonetheless, it appeared the time had now come to give Madonna another chance of a lead role.
The year 1992 would be one of the most dominant in Madonna's career and can be summed up in one short word - sex! Sex drenched everything Madonna touched that year. It would permeate all projects - from the songs she sang, to the clothes she wore or more pertinently didn't wear given the sudden plethora of topless appearances either on the catwalk or in photo-shoots. It all culminated in the notorious coffee table book of the aforementioned adjective 'Sex'. The only medium missing was a movie - the part of 'Rebecca Carlson', a sexually adventurous artiste, could not have seemed more appropriate.
Unfortunately, by the time of its release in early 1993 the shock and indeed novelty factor of such a high profile celebrity being so frankly honest about her sexuality had worn off. Whereas the book had been an enormous commercial success, producers of the movie hoping for a similar level of interest in a full colour celluloid equivalent were instead faced with a world grown weary. It was quite literally a case of 'over exposure'. The sight of Madonna engaged in the most awkward and unpleasant display of cunnilingus-in-a-carpark was more stomach churning than arousing. The word was out, the film was panned, cinema goers stayed away.
And yet... for all it's shortcomings, Madonna Decade includes this film not only because it is preferable to have a 'Madonna' film as the finale to the 'Film and Video' section but also because it formed part of the 'Erotica' project which set out to encompass the triumvirate of film, music, and print media. As such, this period remains one of the most important of Madonna's career and, with the passage of time, the 'Erotica' project in general (the 'Sex' book in particular) has become more acclaimed by critics and fans alike who acknowledge that Madonna was, for that time, unique in her sexual honesty.
For all promo items see the 'video' entry under the PROMO page
Madonna's performance in the film was universally derided by film critics and it marked her fourth film acting performance to be widely panned, following Shanghai Surprise, Who's That Girl and Bloodhounds of Broadway.
Plot
In Portland, Oregon, a wealthy man, Andrew Marsh, has died, while apparently viewing a homemade pornographic tape. The police suspect that the woman having sex with Marsh in the film, Rebecca Carlson (Madonna), may have murdered her older lover for personal gain. Her lawyer is Frank Dulaney (Willem Dafoe), a happily married man.
Rebecca claims to have been unaware that Marsh had a heart condition or that he had altered his will, leaving her a large sum of money. District attorney Robert Garrett (Joe Mantegna) believes that she, aware of both facts, deliberately induced a heart attack in the victim with vigorous sexual activity.
Rebecca is arrested and charged with the crime. Released on bail, she justifies her sex life to Frank, who goes home and has passionate sex with his wife (Julianne Moore).
As the trial begins, DA Garrett tells the jury that it is of no consequence if it was Rebecca's sexual prowess which killed Marsh; what matters is whether she intended to murder him. Frank argues that the state's case is ludicrous, that "it is not a crime to be a beautiful woman who falls in love with a wealthy older man."
Frank is clearly lusting after Rebecca, who allows him to see her naked while she is receiving acupuncture and flirts with him before spurning his advances. Eventually, the two embark on a sadomasochistic affair.
During their first sexual encounter, Frank notices too late that Rebecca is tying his arms behind his back using his own belt, telling Frank that they will have sex "my way." Rebecca removes Frank's underwear, but leaves hers on, clearly demonstrating her dominance. Rebecca then teases and torments Frank by pouring hot candle wax onto his chest, stomach, and finally his penis, before relieving the burn with champagne, while Frank can only watch helplessly. Rebecca is both amused and aroused by the pain and humiliation she is causing Frank.
Their rough sex, with Rebecca in complete control, is an obvious counterpoint to their relationship in the courtroom, where Frank is the one in control. The next morning, while showering, Frank is shocked by how obvious the burn marks from the wax are on his skin. He rushes to cover them before his wife notices.
A key witness for the prosecution, Marsh's doctor, Alan Paley (Jürgen Prochnow), is revealed in court by Frank to be an extremely unreliable witness, as he was (apparently) trying to blackmail Rebecca into having a sexual relationship with him. Pleased with Frank's performance in court, Rebecca allows him to perform oral sex on her in an underground car park.
The testimony of Marsh's private secretary, Joanne Braslow (Anne Archer), reveals that she also had a sexual relationship with Marsh that could have contributed to his death, casting a reasonable doubt as to Carlson's guilt.
A new witness, unexpected by Frank, proves extremely damaging to the defence. Jeffery Roston (Frank Langella), a wealthy older man with a bad heart just like Marsh, testifies that he had a relationship with Rebecca during which he made her the primary beneficiary in his will. When asked to describe their sex life, Roston states that Rebecca would always force him to have sex "her way", and on one occasion had tied him to the bed with his belt, then not allowed him to orgasm, despite him begging her, testimony that clearly resonates with Frank. Roston claims that after he had heart surgery and was well again, Rebecca abruptly left, with no explanation.
Frank and Rebecca clash angrily after the testimony in court. Frank goes to meet his wife at a restaurant, only to discover that she is aware of his affair. He tries to lie, but learns Rebecca phoned his wife, who also has noticed the burn marks on his body.
Frank rushes to confront Rebecca at her house. Initially she claims that she called because she wanted to know if Frank still intended to represent her. Rebecca then taunts him with certain things she could have told his wife, including advice on her sex life. Frank shoves Rebecca to the ground. She opens her robe, revealing her half naked body, and begins to masturbate. Frank cannot resist, but when Rebecca tries to handcuff Frank, he is furious at having been manipulated by her again, and manacles her wrists to a bedpost, yanks down her briefs, and sodomises her.
Having found evidence which indicates that Joanne Braslow might have murdered Marsh because of jealousy over Rebecca's relationship with him, Rebecca insists that Frank allow her to testify on her own behalf. Frank relents.
Rebecca's testimony convinces the jury, who acquit her. Before leaving court, she mockingly thanks her attorney for getting a guilty client off, fully aware that he cannot repeat what she said.
Frank goes that night to Rebecca's home, where he finds her with Alan Paley, discussing the manner in which they conspired to kill Marsh, with Paley as a "reverse character witness" (he makes her look guilty, only to have his testimony completely undermined). Rebecca bluntly tells Frank and Paley that she used her sexual prowess to get whatever she wanted from both of them, as well as Marsh.
Now free and clear because she cannot be tried for the same crime twice, Rebecca proceeds to taunt Paley, telling him to leave because "I've forgotten you already." An enraged Paley lashes out at her and, after Frank pulls him off, Paley shoots her twice. She plunges from a window to her death.
Reception and controversy
The film was almost universally panned by critics and was nominated for six Golden Raspberries, including Worst Picture, Worst Actor (Willem Dafoe), Worst Director, Worst Supporting Actress (Anne Archer) and Worst Screenplay, with Madonna winning Worst Actress. It also appeared on the 2005 list of Roger Ebert's most hated films. The screenplay and performances were especially disparaged. Body of Evidence has a 6% rating over at Rotten Tomatoes based on 34 reviews.
Body of Evidence also exacerbated an already burgeoning controversy about Madonna's frequent association with pornography. Before its release she had already published her soft-core coffee table book Sex, and the film features her and Dafoe's characters in graphic scenes of simulated rape, cunnilingus, anal and public intercourse.
Box office
Body of Evidence performed poorly at the box office. In its second week it experienced a 60% drop.
Background
Technically, 'Body of Evidence' should not be included on this website being a 1993 release. However, it was filmed and produced in 1992 along with much of the promotional material - the US promotional press kit and photos being helpfully dated to prove the point. Also while the video itself was released in 1993 it is included not just for consistency but also because it states 1992 with regard to the actual film.
For Madonna fans and collectors, her appearances on celluloid where often to be viewed with trepidation, such was Madonna's reputation. After being slated in prior movies in which she had taken the lead role (Shanghai Surprise / Who's That Girl) Madonna had wisely taken a back seat in her choice of subsequent roles. This is was perhaps not entirely her choice as producers now questioned her ability to carry a movie in a lead role. However, supporting roles in commercial hits 'Dick Tracy' and in particular 'A League Of Their Own' (where Madonna had not been required to sing), had finally garnered favourable reviews, albeit that it was often pointed out that in both of these roles Madonna was more or less only required to play an extension of herself. Nonetheless, it appeared the time had now come to give Madonna another chance of a lead role.
The year 1992 would be one of the most dominant in Madonna's career and can be summed up in one short word - sex! Sex drenched everything Madonna touched that year. It would permeate all projects - from the songs she sang, to the clothes she wore or more pertinently didn't wear given the sudden plethora of topless appearances either on the catwalk or in photo-shoots. It all culminated in the notorious coffee table book of the aforementioned adjective 'Sex'. The only medium missing was a movie - the part of 'Rebecca Carlson', a sexually adventurous artiste, could not have seemed more appropriate.
Unfortunately, by the time of its release in early 1993 the shock and indeed novelty factor of such a high profile celebrity being so frankly honest about her sexuality had worn off. Whereas the book had been an enormous commercial success, producers of the movie hoping for a similar level of interest in a full colour celluloid equivalent were instead faced with a world grown weary. It was quite literally a case of 'over exposure'. The sight of Madonna engaged in the most awkward and unpleasant display of cunnilingus-in-a-carpark was more stomach churning than arousing. The word was out, the film was panned, cinema goers stayed away.
And yet... for all it's shortcomings, Madonna Decade includes this film not only because it is preferable to have a 'Madonna' film as the finale to the 'Film and Video' section but also because it formed part of the 'Erotica' project which set out to encompass the triumvirate of film, music, and print media. As such, this period remains one of the most important of Madonna's career and, with the passage of time, the 'Erotica' project in general (the 'Sex' book in particular) has become more acclaimed by critics and fans alike who acknowledge that Madonna was, for that time, unique in her sexual honesty.
For all promo items see the 'video' entry under the PROMO page
UK Video Release (1993)
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