Cast: Al Pacino, Ellen Barkin, John Goodman

Directed By: Harold Becker

“Do you remember when we met? That's the day I knew you were my pet, I want to tell you, How much I love you, Come with me, my love, to the sea, the sea of love…….” go the lyrics of the unforgettable love song by the Honeydrippers, (originally recorded by Phil Phillips) that plays at the end credits of the movie Sea of Love. The song and the movie leave a great connect to one of the best ever love songs ever.

A late 80s erotic romance – drama flick, that’s comparable to the early 90s Basic Instinct who later stole the thunder for its equally sexual content and storyline, Sea of Love on the other hand excels for its fun element and original idea, despite the crime story angle.

We have the charming Al Pacino playing a veteran New York City police detective Frank Keller, divorced and on the fringe of being an alcoholic, he stumbles across a string of murders. During investigation Keller learns that the men who were murdered were victims through the lonely hearts column in newspapers. With the help of Detective Sherman (John Goodman), he sets up dates with women who respond to a certain type of newspaper dating advertisement. The same type of advertisement in which they think their killer is stalking the victims. Sherman also has his share of fun dates that give you a few giggles. During one of his cover up dates, Keller meets up with the beautiful suspect Helen (Ellen Barkin) and starts to fall in love. Despite Sherman warning Keller of the pitfalls of the affair and his job as a detective to solve the murders, Keller moves ahead, convinced that she could possibly be the killer or probably lead him to the killer.

Sea of Love is a classic, a sexy thriller that will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing the killer until the very end.

Rating: ****

-  Reviewed by Verus Ferreira