tbills2 Review of China Moon

China Moon (1994)

They say people do strange things underneath a China Moon

[7/10 · 4 July 2013]

China Moon is a sleeker noir with confidence. Its elements of noir are not forced upon you in the forefront making it the most optimal way to execute noirs whereas the technique is not stealing away from the show. The relationship between Detective Kyle Bodine and Rachel Munro is the main focus of the movie. In China Moon, Detective Bodine has his life in relative order until he's caught up in a steamy love affair with the provocative Rachel Munro which soon takes a turn for the worse when one night Rachel shoots and kills her violent husband. Kyle helps Rachel hide the body assisting her cover up the crime. They wish to get away with it but Bodine's partner, Lamar Dickey, is more clever than one might suspect and he's closing in on the case. Very strong actors Madeleine Stowe and Ed Harris make this movie with very strong performances. Ed Harris is all-around great as Kyle Bodine. Harris is about one of the fifteen best male actors of all-time which is good enough for second best in this film. Madeleine Stowe is infinitely desirable as Munro. Stowe communicates effectively poignant emotions acting so effortlessly, and smooth. Madeleine's definitely one of my most favorite actresses. She's to die for. Benicio Del Toro is Dickey and unassuming as a good cop just doing his job. Del Toro plays third wheel in China Moon with just as an extraordinarily acting ability as Stowe and Harris. Harris and Stowe share great chemistry, although they do not appear compatible, more a forbidden passion attraction which is more suitably appropriate for the film. China Moon is a seductive suspense, romantic thriller. It's not an action movie. The story unravels terrifically. China Moon is an easy viewing, easily attachable. I recommend getting lost in China Moon for more than an hour, an hour and thirty nine minutes if you've got the time.