147 reviews
I Remember Sea of Love -
I've watched it many times and never get tired of it. "Sea of Love" is one of few films where Al Pacino is very sexy, and it is adds to the film's many pleasures. The rest of them are - well constructed story of a New York Homicide cop (Pacino) attracted to a mysterious blond woman with a charming crooked grin (Ellen Barkin - talented, sexy and underrated actress) who may or may not be a serial killer. The chemistry between Pacino and Barkin is powerful and undeniable and the love scenes between them are among the best and most memorable ever filmed. John Goodman is very good as Pacino's partner and friend and yes I love the soundtrack and the title song.
- Galina_movie_fan
- Nov 2, 2006
- Permalink
A solid cop thriller with a romantic twist
Frank Keller is a New York detective investigating the murder of a man who was found naked, shot in the back of his head, with the song 'Sea of Love' playing on the record player. It is suspected that the killer may be a woman. This theory is reinforced when it there is a similar killing in Queens. Both victims had placed poetic ads in a lonely hearts column. Keller teams up with Detective Sherman Touhey, from Queens, and place their own advert. They meet various women and Keller ends up going out with one Helen Cruger; unfortunately it is possible that she is the killer; if so he could be in real danger.
This might not be one of the '80s most memorable films but it is well worth watching if you enjoy cop movies. Al Pacino does a fine job as Keller and has a good chemistry with John Goodman, who plays Touhey. He also has a believable chemistry with Ellen Barkin's Helen... simultaneously falling in love and occasionally fearing she could kill him. Barkin is really good as Helen; sexy but slightly ambiguous. Inevitably there are some twists along the way before we finally learn who the killer is. The story has a good neo-noir feel with plenty of tension and ambiguous characters while managing to avoid some clichés I'd expected. Overall a solid film that I'd recommend to fans of the genre; a must see for Pacino's fans.
This might not be one of the '80s most memorable films but it is well worth watching if you enjoy cop movies. Al Pacino does a fine job as Keller and has a good chemistry with John Goodman, who plays Touhey. He also has a believable chemistry with Ellen Barkin's Helen... simultaneously falling in love and occasionally fearing she could kill him. Barkin is really good as Helen; sexy but slightly ambiguous. Inevitably there are some twists along the way before we finally learn who the killer is. The story has a good neo-noir feel with plenty of tension and ambiguous characters while managing to avoid some clichés I'd expected. Overall a solid film that I'd recommend to fans of the genre; a must see for Pacino's fans.
Edgy, smart thriller
Great screenplay, acting and settings combine to make a dynamite film. The constant tension between the police investigation and Pacino's love interest keep the suspense going strong, and the chemistry between Barkin and Pacino is fabulous. John Goodman is excellent as always, the sex/death themes add to the tension, and the ending will throw most for a loop... this film delivers. Try it, you'll like it.
8/10
8/10
Great, funny cop thriller. Goodman-Pacino pairing is gold!
Men who've answered personal ads in the lonely hearts column featuring poetry are being found naked, face down on their beds. There are cigarette butts with lipstick on them in their ashtrays. Detective Frank Keller (Al Pacino), along with his sidekick Sherman (John Goodman), decide to enter their own ad in the lonely hearts column, and try to match the killer's fingerprints.
A great premise that definitely justifies making yet another police procedural, this Al Pacino vehicle won this reviewer over, which is hard to do these days with cop thrillers - once you see enough they all start to look the same.
But here we've got a great script, with some terrific wisecracking cop lines, great actors, especially Pacino, Goodman and sexy Ellen Barkin - which make for a very enjoyable ride. Sure the score is a little 80's, and Ellen Barkin may look back and regret that hair-do, but otherwise this is a very successful piece of film.
This is largely due to the terrific screen presence of Al Pacino - he's such a firecracker! And the hugely enjoyable chemistry between partners Pacino and John Goodman. They play off each other so well. The dating scenes are particularly fun - personal highlights for me. And, of course, Ellen Barkin exudes sensuality. Its incredible.
The title may sound pulpy and cheap - but its for good cause. We find out in the first few minutes that its the name of the song the killer was playing when the first murder of the film occured. Its also ironic - the crime-ridden world of this film is anything but a sea of love.
7/10. Must-see for Pacino fans and fans of cop thrillers. For everyone else, not essential, but great saturday night fair.
A great premise that definitely justifies making yet another police procedural, this Al Pacino vehicle won this reviewer over, which is hard to do these days with cop thrillers - once you see enough they all start to look the same.
But here we've got a great script, with some terrific wisecracking cop lines, great actors, especially Pacino, Goodman and sexy Ellen Barkin - which make for a very enjoyable ride. Sure the score is a little 80's, and Ellen Barkin may look back and regret that hair-do, but otherwise this is a very successful piece of film.
This is largely due to the terrific screen presence of Al Pacino - he's such a firecracker! And the hugely enjoyable chemistry between partners Pacino and John Goodman. They play off each other so well. The dating scenes are particularly fun - personal highlights for me. And, of course, Ellen Barkin exudes sensuality. Its incredible.
The title may sound pulpy and cheap - but its for good cause. We find out in the first few minutes that its the name of the song the killer was playing when the first murder of the film occured. Its also ironic - the crime-ridden world of this film is anything but a sea of love.
7/10. Must-see for Pacino fans and fans of cop thrillers. For everyone else, not essential, but great saturday night fair.
- Ben_Cheshire
- Jun 28, 2004
- Permalink
Lonely Nights
Al Pacino is excellent as the lonely and alcoholic Frank Keller, a veteran New York City cop, hot on the trail of a serial killer. In addition to Keller, and his tough-minded romantic interest, Helen, played well by Ellen Barkin, a third major character is the city wherein the story takes place. Ronnie Taylor's noirish cinematography and Trevor Jones' appropriately downbeat score paint rather a lonely picture of nighttime Manhattan, with all that colorful and flashy neon and the dreary rain. The overall effect is a sense of psychological isolation, alienation, and ... danger.
It's a perfect setting for a story about a series of murders, seemingly tied together by oldies-but-goodies songs. Keller searches for a killer who seems normal, but on the inside is a smoldering volcano. As a murder mystery, "Sea Of Love" works, because of its focus, and because of its restrictive narration. The viewer knows what Frank Keller knows, but nothing more. Clues are very subtle, and lie more in what is not said, than what is said. The ending was a surprise to me. I did not see it coming.
I have a couple of problems with the film, neither of which is serious. First, there are several plot segments that seem unnecessary, and could have been edited out. Second, certain scenes involving the victims are confusing.
"Sea Of Love" is a mystery/thriller that I recommend highly. It is psychologically intense, and it has an atmosphere that is suitably sinister. The acting, the music, the cinematography, the script, and the production design are all credible. And I could listen all day to that oldies-but-goodies song by Phil Phillips, from 1959.
It's a perfect setting for a story about a series of murders, seemingly tied together by oldies-but-goodies songs. Keller searches for a killer who seems normal, but on the inside is a smoldering volcano. As a murder mystery, "Sea Of Love" works, because of its focus, and because of its restrictive narration. The viewer knows what Frank Keller knows, but nothing more. Clues are very subtle, and lie more in what is not said, than what is said. The ending was a surprise to me. I did not see it coming.
I have a couple of problems with the film, neither of which is serious. First, there are several plot segments that seem unnecessary, and could have been edited out. Second, certain scenes involving the victims are confusing.
"Sea Of Love" is a mystery/thriller that I recommend highly. It is psychologically intense, and it has an atmosphere that is suitably sinister. The acting, the music, the cinematography, the script, and the production design are all credible. And I could listen all day to that oldies-but-goodies song by Phil Phillips, from 1959.
- Lechuguilla
- May 29, 2005
- Permalink
An intense film noir with so many different shades
Within a kind of light and shadow there's almost a trademark photography for a film noir movie, and "Sea of Love" is a film that takes place in the shadows
Al Pacino plays Frank Teller, a self-conscious detectivein search of a serial killerdrawn into a torrid sexual relationship with an attractive young woman he met in a super market when all the good citizens of the city are asleep and the people who are walking around are the ones who are leading the most solitary lives
Helen Barkin is just so right for the part You can believe her when you see her dressed in her red leather jacket and tight jeans She's a lady of the night, sexy as hell, and a woman who can take care of herself Between her and Pacino, there were enough attraction that's deep but also there were feelings of vulnerability and suspicion
Al Pacino plays Frank Teller, a self-conscious detectivein search of a serial killerdrawn into a torrid sexual relationship with an attractive young woman he met in a super market when all the good citizens of the city are asleep and the people who are walking around are the ones who are leading the most solitary lives
Helen Barkin is just so right for the part You can believe her when you see her dressed in her red leather jacket and tight jeans She's a lady of the night, sexy as hell, and a woman who can take care of herself Between her and Pacino, there were enough attraction that's deep but also there were feelings of vulnerability and suspicion
- Nazi_Fighter_David
- Sep 22, 2008
- Permalink
I swear on the eyes of my children.
Sea of Love is directed by Harold Becker and written by Richard Price. It stars Al Pacino, Ellen Barkin, John Goodman, Michael Rooker and William Hickey. Music is by Trevor Jones and Ronnie Taylor is the cinematographer. Plot has Pacino as New York Police Detective Frank Keller, a borderline alcoholic and lonely after his wife left him for one of his colleagues. Tracking a serial killer of men, an investigation set-up leads him to date a number of women with the idea of obtaining forensic evidence off of the wine glasses. One of these women is sultry blonde, Helen Cruger (Barkin), who Frank starts to have a passionate relationship with
..
The erotic thriller is a tough premise to get right on film, so many elements have to fall in to place for the film to win over critics and film goers alike. Chemistry of lead cast members, a gripping plot, plausible outcome, and so on. Too many over the years have failed miserably at it, resorting to either gratuitous tactics or simple star casting to entice the paying public in to the theatre. Sea of Love is not a complete success, but it's certainly one of the best of its type. Were it not for a weak murder motive that's not fully explored, resulting in something of an unsatisfying finale, we would probably be talking about Sea of Love being the template movie for the erotic thriller.
All else that leads up to the last 15 minutes is sizzling, Barkin and Pacino spark in every scene they share, where even with the sex scenes, the fact that Barkin towers over Pacino doesn't detract from the sexual chemistry, it adds to it. It's smart, too, that we don't see Barkin for the first third of the movie, the anticipation builds up and thankfully upon arriving into the picture she doesn't disappoint. Goodman is ebullient and makes a good foil for Pacino's haggard life sucks act, his Sherman an easy to get on side with character.
The guessing game at the heart of the plot is well handled by the makers, there's no stupid giveaways or overkill of red herrings, while the edgy lonely hearts basis for both the killings and the investigative trap is nicely written by Richard Price. Fusing both loneliness and sexual needs together as one, Becker is able to get much emotional mileage out of the story. If only the ending could have made good on the promise shown. Come the last 15 minutes the "is she or isn't she the killer?" factor has run out of steam, with what follows inducing cries of "oh, is that it?"- instead of- "oh my god!". Damn shame that. 7.5/10
The erotic thriller is a tough premise to get right on film, so many elements have to fall in to place for the film to win over critics and film goers alike. Chemistry of lead cast members, a gripping plot, plausible outcome, and so on. Too many over the years have failed miserably at it, resorting to either gratuitous tactics or simple star casting to entice the paying public in to the theatre. Sea of Love is not a complete success, but it's certainly one of the best of its type. Were it not for a weak murder motive that's not fully explored, resulting in something of an unsatisfying finale, we would probably be talking about Sea of Love being the template movie for the erotic thriller.
All else that leads up to the last 15 minutes is sizzling, Barkin and Pacino spark in every scene they share, where even with the sex scenes, the fact that Barkin towers over Pacino doesn't detract from the sexual chemistry, it adds to it. It's smart, too, that we don't see Barkin for the first third of the movie, the anticipation builds up and thankfully upon arriving into the picture she doesn't disappoint. Goodman is ebullient and makes a good foil for Pacino's haggard life sucks act, his Sherman an easy to get on side with character.
The guessing game at the heart of the plot is well handled by the makers, there's no stupid giveaways or overkill of red herrings, while the edgy lonely hearts basis for both the killings and the investigative trap is nicely written by Richard Price. Fusing both loneliness and sexual needs together as one, Becker is able to get much emotional mileage out of the story. If only the ending could have made good on the promise shown. Come the last 15 minutes the "is she or isn't she the killer?" factor has run out of steam, with what follows inducing cries of "oh, is that it?"- instead of- "oh my god!". Damn shame that. 7.5/10
- hitchcockthelegend
- Aug 25, 2011
- Permalink
Not bad but full of holes, and not the kind from bullets
Keeps your attention throughout
- callanvass
- Nov 10, 2013
- Permalink
"Do you remember the sea of love"? I hope so because it's one of the best and most underrated thrillers ever made!
I remember seeing Sea of Love at the theater in 1989 and left saying to myself I had just seen one of the best thrillers made. Sea of Love is just one of those movies that kept me in great suspense and excitement I really felt surprised in the end when the killer was revealed. Since then I have caught Sea of Love about a dozen times on cable and still to this day enjoy the thrilling drama. The story is just great with the legend Al Pacino as Detective Frank Keller who tries to catch and bait a lonely hearts killer. Pacino is helped in his search by Detective Sherman played great by the very funny John Goodman this was one of the better performances from Goodman. Then the search takes a good but yet a bad turn when Pacino (Detective Frank Keller) finds an interesting friend a very sexy and erotic type looking female played marvelously by the attractive Ellen Barkin. I must say that with the stunning performance Ellen gave with this role she should have gotten any work she wanted to in films. I will not say nothing to any of you who haven't seen the film I will let you enjoy the surprise like I did the first time I saw Sea of Love. Sea of Love doesn't get the respect it deserves still it airs on cable but watch this on a dark and rainy night alone or day for that matter and feel the thrills and suspense of this steaming thriller you would see it's one of the best films around I don't see who would or could dislike this so take a swim in the sea of love!
Sea of Loneliness...
- gattonero975
- Oct 15, 2015
- Permalink
A fine thriller, and a great movie with great acting.
This is one great movie, not only a thriller which it is also. Sometimes a movie will come out so that watching it will be like reading a good book. This is one of few. Excellent script, great acting and directing and photo and the additional point in introducing Barkin's character far into the film makes for a much more convincing narrative. Both Pacina and Barkin have always been great actors, and here they are at their best, perhaps because of a certain tension between them one cannot decide if they are friends personally or hate each other, or perhaps they create the ambivalence just because they are superb actors. Anyway, I don't know if this one got any major awards, but it sure should have. Besides Barkin is one hell of a woman, and I supposed that Pacino is one hell of a man.
- Clifford04
- Aug 4, 2005
- Permalink
A creepy thriller with a scary turn on a title song played over and over
Frank - Al Pacino - has just reached his 20th year with the NYPD. This milestone brings no joy, as his wife left him for a colleague. However, a new case captures his attention. A man is found facedown in bed, bullet to his skull, with an old 45 record playing Sea of Love on the turntable. A second case exactly the same is found. One key common denominator is both men placed rhyming personal ads in the paper. Then a third man is killed. Placing a poetic personal ad for the Dept, Frank interviews women who answer. One is Helen - Ellen Barkin - who attracts Frank romantically. She couldn't be a killer, huh ? This creepy thriller has two good stars, a decent script and a theme song which gives everyone goosebumps along the way. Most mystery film lovers will find this one a good view.
High Score for Pacino
The only reason I could even give this film above a 1 is that Al Pacino's performance prevented me from leaving the room until it was over. I did have to pause it a number of times simply because I was bored and other things caught my attention, however.
How a movie which was put together so poorly received a 6.7 is beyond me. It doesn't know where it wants to go, is it a thriller, a cop movie, or a love story? I still haven't figured that one out.
The ending felt like a forced twist. It was also too quick. I felt a "Now you see it, now you don't" type of impression during the last few minutes.
Pacino and Barkin have no chemistry, and the fact they don't even bother to give us Helen's last name should tell you all you need to know about character development.
I'm sure glad I rented this one for free. But even then, I felt cheated as I wasted my time.
How a movie which was put together so poorly received a 6.7 is beyond me. It doesn't know where it wants to go, is it a thriller, a cop movie, or a love story? I still haven't figured that one out.
The ending felt like a forced twist. It was also too quick. I felt a "Now you see it, now you don't" type of impression during the last few minutes.
Pacino and Barkin have no chemistry, and the fact they don't even bother to give us Helen's last name should tell you all you need to know about character development.
I'm sure glad I rented this one for free. But even then, I felt cheated as I wasted my time.
- CheshireCatsGrin
- Mar 28, 2005
- Permalink
Slick genre piece
- rmax304823
- Apr 17, 2004
- Permalink
Slightly Above Average Cop Thriller
The first half of this movie is a crime mystery. The second half is a love story. I thought that I would know what happened next and for the most part I was right. Thre were a few surprises and i admit i did not see the ending coming. Although once I saw it kinda made sense who the killer was.
I just thought that the movie was repetitive in its dialog in some parts. Al Pacino is his usual self in one of his come back roles were he has picked up the deep voice and the dark eyes. Besides one scene in a Shoe store i think his performance is rather average. No where in the league of later works such as Scent of a Women and Glenn Gary Glenn Ross. In the confines of the script the actors did what they could so i give it a generous seven.
I just thought that the movie was repetitive in its dialog in some parts. Al Pacino is his usual self in one of his come back roles were he has picked up the deep voice and the dark eyes. Besides one scene in a Shoe store i think his performance is rather average. No where in the league of later works such as Scent of a Women and Glenn Gary Glenn Ross. In the confines of the script the actors did what they could so i give it a generous seven.
- milesusmc0151
- Jun 4, 2005
- Permalink
Stays Very Intense The Whole Way Through
- eric262003
- Jan 28, 2019
- Permalink
slightly above average but has a tendency to drag a bit.
Al Pacino and Ellen Barkin were both pretty good in this crime drama about a detective tracking a serial killer. There's some good drama in this movie, coupled with excellent chemistry between Pacino and Barkin. There's some particularly slow moving parts to the movie, other parts that are so so but through it all the story is involving as is the enfolding relationship between Pacino and Barkin so for the most part it keeps you wanting to know what happens next. The main problem is when Pacino and Barken are not on screen together, the movie can get a bit dull.This is not a great movie or a remarkable movie but a solid crime drama that's good to view once if not already seen.I'd say 6 out of 10.
routine psychodrama with a few bright spots
Without Al Pacino to lend it credibility this dangerous (and all-too familiar) romance between the cop and the beautiful murder suspect might have been just another modern thriller, complete with routine doses of obsessive foreplay and glossy film noir visuals. But with the right actor in the right role and with some clever dialogue the film is able (at times) to rise above the curious banality of its title (and title song), and the sexism of its scenario. Ellen Barkin plays every frustrated cop's dream assignment: a nymphomaniac single mother, suspected of stalking lonely men through personal ads and leaving them dead (presumably) at the moment of sexual climax. Pacino is too good an actor for such a disposable, transparently male fantasy, but he's in good company with John Goodman, who gets plenty of mileage out of his standard jolly fat buddy role. But the throwaway revelation of the killer's true identity is anticlimactic, and the violent surprise ending is almost ruined by a totally bogus, happily-ever-after epilogue.
Welcome back Al, in not the best, in a sea of good thrillers
Sea Of Love marks Al's big return to the screen, in probably not the best pic, after that dud, Revolution. He plays a cop who's working a serial killer case where supposedly a female killer out there is killing guys, who have answered to these lonely hearts ads. Each victim is found, bare naked on their stomach, with the song Sea Of Love, playing on an L P, nearby. He falls in love with a suspect, Ellen Barkin, who's never looked hotter. By having her as a living on the edge, dangerous, and private character, who like she says "Does things on impulse", we are frequently suppose to believe it's her. May'be it really is. While Sea Of Love manages to be very entertaining, with Al in an interesting comeback of character I like, there are much better thrillers out there, where as a thriller this wasn't special, but the fun of the movie is seeing if Pacino is walking into his own coffin. To make it us throw more suspicion on Barkin', two many coincidences and actions are thrown in, a stray gun, and throwing Pacino up against a wall, for starters, etc. The movie though is an old and one of those entertaining watches, and Barkin's character, if not believable the character, itself, is one of a kind.
- videorama-759-859391
- Jan 20, 2015
- Permalink
The perfect movie for that 'first time-break the ice' date that men can enjoy too.
Al Pacino and Ellen Barkin sizzle in this murder-mystery/love-story. For all those guys out there that are forced to watch 'chick flicks' and for the ladies that sit through over violent action thrillers, here is a movie both will enjoy. Pacino has made a career at attracting both men and women in his movies and you will be hard pressed to find a more beautiful woman than Barkin in this movie. John Goodman is a Detective and Pacino's partner reminiscent of another very good Ellen Barkin Love-Thriller 'The Big Easy' with Dennis Quaid. In 'Sea Of Love' the passionate love making combined with several possible endings in classic 'who-done-it?' style, will keep your attention and mood in check. Light candles and break out the wine you won't be sorry.
A solid three star crime flick.
A 49 year old Al Pacino is at the center of this crime flick as a workaholic New York homicide detective on the trail of a serial killer while having a sordid affair with a woman (Barkin) who could be the killer. "Sea of Love" provides nonstop drama with little action while Pacino wrestles with issues including an exwife, a lover, alcohol, burn-out, and, of course, the killer. A three star flick, "Sea of Love" is a must see for Pacino fans and solid entertainment for all others into crime dramas.
Murder, Speed Dating, Loneliness & Suspicion
- seymourblack-1
- May 7, 2010
- Permalink
Pretty solid Pacino thriller
- dworldeater
- Jun 7, 2019
- Permalink
Not good, but watchable.
- bombersflyup
- Jul 9, 2019
- Permalink