Opening on a shot of a great stone eagle (a heartless bird of prey like the central character), this is a jet-black film noir from Red Rock West director John Dahl. Although it could do with more charismatic leads than Linda Fiorentino and Peter Berg, the film compels your attention through the director's vigorous handling of a skilfully invented plot. Fiorentino is the hard-headed businesswoman who masterminds a one-off drugs deal with her pharmacist husband (Bill Pullman - different class to the rest of the cast) that nets them $700,000. On the spur of the moment, after Pullman hits her, Fiorentino makes off with the cash, pulling small-time claims adjuster Berg into bed with her, and setting him up as the fall guy in her revenge plan against her husband. You're almost certain not to get all of the twists in first-time screenwriter Steve Barancik's story, which will help keep you engrossed to the end.

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