A Kiss So Deadly (1996)

_**The problem of obsession with a beautiful woman**_

This is a drama with elements of romance & crime starring Charles Shaughnessy as Tom Deese, a father who's concerned about his daughter that moved out (Dedee Pfeiffer). Living with two roommates on the North Carolina coast (Charlotte Ross & Noelle Parker), the girls are sorta stalked by a creepy man (Scott Simpson); meanwhile, Deese becomes infatuated with one of the roommates (Ross).

Although this is a TV movie from 1996, it breaks the threshold of greatness for what it is; and does so on a few fronts. The theme revolves around the power of a beautiful woman and the corresponding male obsession. Ross stands out and her beauty is highlighted from the get-go (the father stumbles upon her in a bikini in his daughter's apartment and you can just see "Whoa, Mama!" on his face).

Unfortunately, Amanda (Ross) has developed the faintly unwholesome disposition of a lass who is wont to sleep around. She is nicely contrasted by the intuitive insightfulness of the daughter (Pfeiffer) and the winsome wholesomeness of the other girl, June (Parker). Speaking of whom, I enjoyed June's subplot in the third act, which nicely contrasts Amanda's relationship with Deese. I wish it were developed more. Personally, if I were to pursue any of the three girls (not that I would, since I'm married), it would be June.

Any male who has experienced the inward upheaval that goes with a crazy crush on a beautiful woman will relate to what the father goes through in this flick. "A Kiss So Deadly" effectively shows the potential dangers of uncontrolled infatuation. Be wise, my son.

It runs 96 minutes and was shot in Wilmington, North Carolina.

GRADE: B+/A-