The Towering Inferno was criticised for its superficial characters (all played by A-list stars) but it was high art compared to this tacky TV movie with a roster of B-list actors, which sacrifices plot and character for cheap thrills. Based on the real-life 1988 fire at the First Interstate Bank building, then the tallest skyscraper in Los Angeles, it is ostensibly about two executives and their efforts to flee the devastating 65-storey inferno. But its shameful treatment of characters is nothing compared to the sick humour injected into the script at regular intervals. Lisa Hartman's character clings desperately to a still-wrapped birthday present, refusing to open it because there's a few days to go to her big day. She finally succumbs when near death only to find that it's a T-shirt with the legend 'Life begins at 30! ' Look out for Angela Bassett, since in star roles after Malcolm X and Tina: What's Love Got to Do With It.

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