Tightrope (1984)

Directed by Richard Tuggle. Starring Clint Eastwood, Geneviève Bujold, Dan Hedaya, Alison Eastwood, Jenny Beck, Marco St. John. [R]

New Orleans detective Eastwood aims to thwart a sexual deviant/serial killer targeting women in the red light district, including ones who’ve “enjoyed the company” of Eastwood himself. A police procedural thriller with a little more ambition than usual, but its lurid proclivities and slasher movie mentality never dive deep enough below the surface to come off as anything but fetishistic exploitation. Only the unsympathetic hero’s late-night interests set him apart from just another Harry Callahan clone, but instead of giving the character more psychological dimension and shading, it simply allows him to be more easily manipulated and tortured by his sicko quarry. The film’s most fruitful avenue highlights an attraction that grows between Eastwood and Bujold’s operator of a rape prevention program. Though Ruggle retained sole credit, rumors suggest that Eastwood handled a large portion of the directorial duties himself.

61/100