David Mamet's adaptation of James M. Cain's novel sees itinerant drifter and part time criminal Frank Chambers (Jack Nicholson) being hired as a mechanic by Greek garage / cafe owner Nick Papadakis (John Colicos) and his wife Cora (Jessica Lange). Frank and Cora quickly begin a torrid affair and soon begin to see Nick as the impediment to their happiness and their thoughts are soon turning to murder. Bob Rafelson directs with a eye to a grim and gritty depression-era realism and is ably assisted by the grainy cinematography of Sven Nykvist. Between them they paint a realistic portrait of desperate places and desperate times that creates the motivational background for characters like Frank and Cora. Both Jack Nicholson and Jessica Lange are first class - both being Oscar nominated for their performances. Their relationship begins as dingy, grubby and focussed on raw sex (with a sado-masochistic edge) but over time grows and develops into something deeper and more emotional. The film begins to loses focus into the third act as it evolves into a courtroom drama that seems stylistically at odds with the earlier parts of the film. Overall, however, this is a fine slice of grubby noir with a sexual edge that is elevated by two great central performances. ( )