Where to watch Traces of Red
1 1/2 Stars
Jack, a Palm Beach detective, becomes involved in a case of multiple murders. All the women can be linked to Jack in some way. Jack and his partner have no leads, but numerous suspects. The murders continue, along with anonymous letters from the killer.
Traces of Red is a dubiously plotted erotic thriller. The film stars a trio of good actors, all doing their best to maintain integrity as they enact a screenplay filled with ridiculous story elements. The movie is set in Florida and showcases Ocean Ave., Palm Beach, and Key West, which adds a sticky noir texture that amplifies the tawdry nature of this project. Jim Belushi and Tony Goldwyn make for a well-cast pair of cops; they could have been better used in a different movie, and Lorraine Bracco is sexy and dangerous in equal measures.
Unfortunately, nothing in Traces of Red works. The advertised steamy sex scenes, which turned this movie into a VHS rental chart-topper, are tame and sparse. After Basic Instinct revitalized the erotic thriller sub-genre, dozens of trashy movies followed. Traces of Red is closer to an episode of Red Shoe Diaries than Sliver or Jagged Edge.
Directed by: Andy Wolk
Written by: Jim Piddock
Starring: Jim Belushi, Lorraine Bracco, Tony Goldwyn