Fatale (2020)

 Elevator Pitch: Derrick Tyler, a successful ex- sportman now running a sports management agency goes astray on a business trip to Las Vegas, ending up in bed with  Valerie Quinlan. On his return to LA his relationship with his wife improves, but he is attacked by an intruder in their luxury home. When the police investigation is initiated, the detective in charge turns out to be Valerie. She has issues, mainly based on her problems with her ex who has managed to have her served with a restraining order to keep her away from her child. She shows Derrick that his wife is having an affair with his partner and later he is arrested for their murder. He is caught in Valerie’s web of intrigue. How will it all end?

Content: There is a bit of not very erotic sex without any actual nudity. Derrick and his wife loll about in their very very elaborate home. He and his partner discuss a possible sale of their company. Derrick fights with the intruder in their home, ending up bruised but safe. Valerie takes him on a walk along a beach, where he looks through a monocular at his wife and partner getting to it. Derrick reveals all to his brother who has done time and he and a friend kidnap Valerie with the intention of forcing a confession from her . But this is in her loft accommodation, and we know that she will sort them out.

A View: This is a low budget outing which has made $7 million at the box office and so might have broken even. It did not fare all that well on Rotten Tomatoes many of the critics suggesting that the plot was a bit thin. Indeed it was quite difficult to join up the dots with any conviction. On the plus side Hilary Swank was good as the evil Valerie, channelling her inner Saga Noren I thought. So not a wonderful film then, maybe have it on while doing your knitting.

 Other films reviewed on this site which feature doubtful policemen include Righteous Kill, Bad Lieutenant and 16 Blocks.