Sweet Kill DVD Review

Roger Corman is famous for helping a lot of people get their start in the film industry. Sweet Kill was directed by Curtis Hanson, who is likely familiar to you for having directed Losin' It, L.A. Confidential (he won an Academy Award for co-writing the screenplay) and Wonder Boys (one of my personal favorite films). Sweet Kill was his directorial debut.

It stars Tab Hunter as Eddie Collins, a man who has trouble getting aroused by anything less than murder. Tab Hunter's career, of course, was already well established when Sweet Kill came around. He was known for The Sea Chase and Damn Yankees! (among others). But he also took roles in interesting, offbeat films like The Loved One. And then later he'd appear in John Waters' Polyester opposite Divine. So you definitely have to respect the guy.  And he turns in an excellent performance here.  He elicits sympathy for his character while simultaneously creeping you out.

The opening scene seems to take place in the 1940s, by the music and decorations (though the car you can see drive by in the mirror doesn't look like a period vehicle). A kid spies on his mom as she undresses, and she seems well aware of it, possibly even enjoying it.

Now grown up and working as a high school gym teacher, Eddie meets an attractive woman named Sherry and takes her back to his place, but then fails to get aroused. Sherry simply asks, "Why not?" It's a good moment. He doesn't respond, so she asks, "Is it me?" When he still doesn't respond, she suddenly rips his pants, and he impulsively kicks at her. She falls back, hits her head, and dies.

It's tough dating when you can only get aroused by killing the girl. No second dates. But Eddie makes the most of it. He actually seems to have no problem attracting women. A friend and neighbor, Barbara, is also interested in him. She puts on a record and does an awkward dance for him, then asks, "You like it?" Eddie answers, "It's okay" (which was my thought exactly). Apparently they've been getting together for a while and now she wants to know if he finds her attractive. Tab Hunter is wonderful in this scene, really making you feel for the guy in his awkwardness. And when he gets home, his anger with himself is understandable and a bit terrifying, making for another nice moment.

Sherry's friend Lauren (Cherie Latimer) shows up, asking about Sherry, whom she hasn't seen in several days. Cherie Latimer gives a truly good performance. It's one of those scenes that might not be believable with lesser actors. (She was also in an episode of The Monkees: "Everywhere A Sheik Sheik" and had a role in Shampoo, another of my favorite films.)

Eddie is clearly trying to fight his impulses, and goes to a sexy blond prostitute, who goes through a very specific routine for him, dressing in a certain outfit and looking a certain way. Then she lies down and pretends to be dead, and he undresses her and masturbates. It's an excellent scene, and it ends with a great shot as the camera slowly pulls back and we hear children playing outside.  (By the way, the prostitute is played by Roberta Collins, whom you might recognize from Death Race 2000 and The Witch Who Came From The Sea, the latter being an excellent film.)

He returns to the prostitute later, but she doesn't have time for the routine, as another client is coming. She kisses him and tells him, "You can do it. Just close your eyes. Pretend I'm your mother." A really interesting moment. How much does she know? How much is she guessing? He leaves after a moment, which is sort of a shame because this is one of the most interesting scenes in the film.

His friend Barbara suddenly mentions her own mother, so clearly she knows something as well. But we don't know how much she knows either. I like the way the film doesn't spell everything out with regards to his relationship with her.  We just get a sense that maybe he has tried to open up to her at some point, but then pulled back. 

Eddie seems to begin to enjoy himself, which is another surprise. I love the twisted joy on Tab Hunter's face as he chases Lauren.

Sweet Kill is presented in the full screen format (according to IMDB, the original aspect ratio of this film was 1.85:1). Oddly, the DVD has the re-release title of The Arousers (that is, that's the title on the screen).  The DVD has no special features. Sweet Kill was released on August 21, 2012 through Shout! Factory as part of the Roger Corman's Cult Classics collection. Also released on that date was Naked Angels.