“Sea of Love” (1989)

Breakfast with The Yankees, that is how the film “Sea of Love” begins. Truth and fact, it is not a breakfast with players on the 1989, New York Yankees, which included future Baseball Hall of Fame inductees: Dave Winfield (2001); Goose Gossage (2008); Rickey Henderson (2009); as well as all-stars, Dave Righetti and Don Mattingly. Instead, it is a police sting that has rounded up a number of criminals, who have outstanding warrants for a variety of crimes. I have to confess the Mets fan in me smiled, when I found out what was taking place. The sting was the idea of Detective Frank Keller Jr. portrayed by Oscar winner, Al Pacino (Scent of a Woman), in a nuanced performance.The multi-person sting is a celebration of sorts for Keller, who has reached twenty years on the force. Keller is often abrasive, drinks a bit too much, and is divorced. Even though he can put in his retirement paperwork, he has no interest in doing so. (As an aside: While Dave Winfield was on the 1989 Yankees, he missed the season due to back injuries. The following year he was traded to The Angels).      

Keller’s latest case involves the investigation of James Mackay (Brian Paul), who was shot dead. The man was discovered by his neighbor, lying face down on his bed, completely naked. The neighbor had come over to his apartment to complain that Mackay was playing the song “Sea of Love” ad nauseam. A short while later, another man (Mark Phelan), is found murdered in a similar fashion, in the borough of Queens. Detective Sherman Touhey, played by Emmy and Golden Globe winner, John Goodman (Roseanne),  asks Keller if he would like to team up to investigate the homicides.  

During the course of their investigation, Keller and Touhey learn that both men that were murdered placed ads in the classifieds seeking a relationship. The killer, who is believed to be a woman, left fingerprints at one of the crime scenes. Keller comes up with an idea to place an advertisement in the classifieds seeking companionship. The dates he arranges will all take place in a restaurant, that is under police surveillance. Officers out of uniform, will also be stationed in the restaurant as regular patrons. Keller will offer to buy each of his dates a drink, and proceed to make conversation. Once the unsuspecting woman puts her prints on the glass she is drinking from, Touhey, who will be pretending to be a waiter, will remove the glass, and place it into an evidence bag. The crime lab will compare the prints from each of the glasses, to those found at the crime scene. Sounds simple enough.

During the undercover operation, Keller meets Helen. He is smitten with her from the outset. The part of Helen is acted by Emmy winner, Ellen Barkin (Before Women Had Wings). She could potentially be the murderer, but yet Keller is willing to take, what could be, the ultimate risk, and get involved with her. Compounding the problem, is that unlike the other ladies that Keller bought a drink for, Helen doesn’t touch her wine glass, so the police can’t compare her prints. Is she a vulnerable, single-mother, who is looking for love, or a cold-blooded killer, that might make Keller her next victim?  

In addition to the aforementioned actors, the cast also includes, amongst others: Michael Rooker (Guardians of the Galaxy); two time Oscar nominee, and Emmy winner, Richard Jenkins (Olive Kitteridge); and Emmy and Golden Globe winner, John Spencer (The West Wing).

“Sea of Love” was directed by Harold Becker (Vision Quest). The screenplay was written by Oscar nominee, Richard Price (The Color of Money). Oscar winning cinematographer, Ronnie Taylor (Gandhi) does a competent job of bringing the city location to life. Three time BAFTA nominee, and Emmy winner, Trevor Jones (Merlin) provides a score that sets the right mood throughout the film, and does a good job of heightening moments of tension. The film was released to American theaters on September 15, 1989. Parts crime, drama, mystery, romance, and thriller, the movie has a runtime of 113 minutes.  

Trivia buffs take note: Richard Price originally wrote the part of Detective, Frank Keller, Jr. for two time Oscar winner, Dustin Hoffman (Rain Man), but he insisted on too many changes to the script, therefore, the part was given to Pacino. In the director’s cut of the film, there is a scene between Al Pacino and four time Emmy nominee, Lorraine Bracco (The Sopranos), as his ex-wife. The scene was cut from the final film, but is shown, when the movie appears on television. Prior to filming, Pacino hadn’t made a movie since 1985’s “Revolution,” which wasn’t well received. He toyed with the idea of giving up acting, but longtime friend, Oscar winner, Diane Keaton (Annie Hall), convinced him to take the part. Pacino was nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture at the 1990, Golden Globes, but lost out to Tom Cruise for “Born on the Fourth of July.” The film’s title comes from the 1959 song of the same name by Phil Phillips and The Twilights. It reached number one on the U.S. Billboard’s R& B chart, and number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

                                                             

“Sea of Love” was an entertaining film from start to finish. The acting from all involved was good, and the chemistry between Pacino and Barkin was excellent. For viewers who’ve never seen the film, or don’t know the major reveal, it should keep you guessing as to the identity of the killer. I recommend it for fans of Pacino and Barkin, and those of you who like edgy thrillers. As of the writing of this post, the movie is currently streaming on Netflix.