Tightrope (1984)

3 1/2 Stars (out of 4)

In the Dark

By Jeffrey M. Anderson

Tightrope was a departure for Clint Eastwood, a move into a much darker, much more shocking realm. Eastwood plays Wes Block, a divorced New Orleans detective with two daughters who gets involved investigating a serial killer. His nocturnal wanderings lead him into numerous sex dens, where his libido gets the better of him. Worse, every time Wes succumbs to an urge, the killer seems to know about it and his female conquests turn into targets.

Officially written and directed by Richard Tuggle -- though Eastwood unofficially chipped in -- Tightrope may be the darkest film ever released by Hollywood; nearly every shot takes place in deep shadow. The wonderful Genevieve Bujold co-stars as a rape counselor, and she may be one of Eastwood's most powerful heroines. Eastwood's real-life daughterAlison plays his 12 year-old movie daughter and Dan Hedaya plays Wes' partner.