Pretty Poison Review
In a lot of 1960s cinema, "trouble" was spelled "Tuesday Weld." Sexy, kittenish, possessed of a voice that purred venom, Weld created one of her most memorable amoral portraits in Pretty Poison, an initially neglected black comedy/thriller that has gained in stature since its initial release. Weld, of course, is blessed with looks that go a long way to explaining why she is able to captivate Anthony Perkins, but there's a fiercely instinctive and intelligent actress manipulating those looks, one who knows just what buttons to push to convey innocence or evil (and sometimes both simultaneously). Her reactions to her murderous activities are chilling -- and yet funny. Perkins is her perfect match; his shy, eager-to-be-manipulated psychopath may have echoes of Norman Bates, but only echoes; Perkins was too good an actor at this stage of his career to waste this opportunity by simply repeating himself. Both actors are helped by Lorenzo Semple Jr.'s darkly ironic screenplay, which provides both meaty characters and a compelling storyline. Pretty Poison's blackness will put off many, but it's a prize for those who treasure riveting performances. Craig Butler, Rovi
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