I didn't like it very much. I understand that it was meant to portray a somewhat tawdry lifestyle of strippers in the seedy part of NYC, but this film didn't hold together that well, despite the presence of a first-rate cast.

The nudity (mostly strippers doing their dance routines) made me yawn after a while. I expected some nudity in this movie, and nudity doesn't offend me (I've drawn many nudes in Life Drawing class!). But I thought the dance sequences got to be too long and derivative. Obviously everyone else's mileage will vary on this point, and I guess the fact that I am female is not insignificant in explaining my sentiments.

Jack Scalia, Tom Berenger, Billy Dee Williams and Melanie Griffith are the main stars. Griffith's performance is kind of lackluster, but I don't recall her maturing too much as an actress until much later. (This film was made in 1984.) Tom Berenger is good as the brooding ex-boxer sporting a head full of curls. (Oh my word -- the clothing and hair in this movie were *so* '80s!) Jack Scalia is handsome, square-jawed and likeable in his part, as is Billy Dee Williams, (though I didn't think his character was written very well).

I didn't understand why the story was written the way it was -- why is there so little mystery? We know who the killer is right off. What motivates him to kill? I never did find that out -- maybe I dozed off and missed that bit of information when I was bored into a stupor during one of the topless dancing routines. Whatever. All I know is, the story could have, and *should* have been much more interesting.

This is the first movie I've seen of director Abel Farrara, and I don't believe it is a proper introduction to his work. I have been led to believe that he has made some notable films. This is not one of them. The plot is average, the pace is choppy, and I disliked the score immensely. It was intrusive and hackneyed.

This is an average film. If you like any of the main stars and don't mind the seamy smarminess of the story then you might want to view this film. Otherwise, I am guessing that one of the other films by Farrara would be a better choice.