Color of Night (1994)

Director:

Richard Rush

Writers (WGA):

Billy Ray (story)
Matthew Chapman (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

19 August 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Mystery | Romance | Thriller | Drama

Tagline:

Five Suspects. Two Lovers. One Killer. Nothing is what it seems... except murder.

Plot:

A color-blind psychiatrist Bill Capa is stalked by an unknown killer after taking over his murdered friend's therapy group, all of whom have a connection to a mysterious young woman that Capa begins having intense sexual encounters with.

Plot Keywords:

Patient | Psychologist | Suicide | Female Nudity | Investigation

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 8 nominations

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Bruce Willis	...	Dr. Bill Capa
Jane March	...	Rose
Rubén Blades	...	Lt. Hector Martinez
Lesley Ann Warren	...	Sondra Dorio
Scott Bakula	...	Dr. Bob Moore
Brad Dourif	...	Clark
Lance Henriksen	...	Buck
Kevin J. O'Connor	...	Casey Heinz
Andrew Lowery	...	Dale Dexter
Eriq La Salle	...	Det. Anderson
Jeff Corey	...	Ashland
Kathleen Wilhoite	...	Michelle
Shirley Knight	...	Edith Niedelmeyer
John Bower	...	Medical Examiner
Avi Korein	...	Bouncer

MPAA:

Rated R for strong sexuality, violence and language. (also director's cut)

Runtime:

121 min | USA:140 min (director's cut) | Argentina:133 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Portugal:M/16 | Philippines:R-18 | USA:NC-17 (original rating) | Italy:VM14 | Australia:R | Finland:K-16 | France:-12 (director's cut) | Germany:16 | Norway:18 | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R | Argentina:18

Filming Locations:

11400 Olympic Boulevard, West Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Cinergi Pictures Entertainment

Trivia:

The Malibu house used as a main setting is the same house similarly used in Ritual (2000/I).

Goofs:

Continuity: The wounds on Rose's hands disappear in an improbably short time.

Quotes:

Dr. Bill Capa: [On why he won't take over the therapy group] Well because one reason or the other I'm more screwed up than the rest of you put together.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 52nd Annual Golden Globe Awards (1995) (TV)

Is it really Willis' Willis?

The director's cut, no pun intended, seems to be a much better film than the one that was shown commercially, but it still is a far cry from a satisfactory movie to watch. Richard Rush could have done better, but the psychological film we see, adds nothing to what has already been shown before.

From the beginning we realize who the killer is, as well as the person with the multiple personality problem. It's too obvious! The film relies heavily on the sexual attraction between Bill Capa and Rose. Much has been speculated in this forum about whether we are actually seeing Willis' willis, or not. Since most male stars wouldn't be caught dead showing their genitals, for obvious reasons, what is seen for a second in the pool scene is that of a body double. On the other hand, we see Jane March showing it all, which is a welcome attraction.

Only the final sequence has any impact. There are many things in the plot that don't add up and the viewer is ahead of the story at all times.

Bruce Willis with a hairpiece looks good. Jane March has a better chance with the character she plays. Also Brad Dourif, Lance Henriksen have their moments. The one that doesn't come across well is Ruben Blades, an otherwise excellent actor trying to do a Columbo routine in this film.