Detective Stan Verito (played by Ross Seymour) is a man torn between love and the law. While investigating the murder of a businessman, he is introduced to Jessie Bellhorn (played by Elizabeth Brooks) who is a store clerk and suspect in the case. As the investigation begins to grow cold, Verito makes an attempt to uncover new evidence by interviewing Jessie at her home, late one night. The visit culminates in a tryst between the two that launches them into a full blown relationship.
Meanwhile, Verito’s partner Peter Doss (played by Mark Arnold), has noticed the attraction between Stan and Jessie. His concern prompts him to confront Stan several times about this; since the case is still open. However, each time, Stan is able to deny or explain their interactions. Peter is not convinced that the situation is so innocent, though, and begins following Jessie’s every move.
As the story progresses, new twists emerge, which complicate each scenario. Will new evidence solidify or destroy Stan and Jessie’s relationship? Will details of Stan’s past lead to his ultimate demise? Will Peter’s discoveries jeopardize the entire case? These are the questions that Justin Seibel’s Kill, My Lovely, strives to answer in 28 suspenseful minutes.
In every way, I was impressed with this film. The writing and acting were great. Seymour and Brooks have great on screen chemistry together. Their interactions were very believable within a romantic context. Elizabeth Brooks brings a necessary charisma to Jessie Bellhorn’s character; making it easy to like her, but also believable enough to think she may have played a part in the murder she’s a suspect in. This character needed to be able to be convincing on both levels, since she is a central figure in a controversial plot line.
With that said, I would like to have seen more tension between Stan and Jessie as the story begins. Stan seems a little too empathetic to Jessie’s plight from the very beginning, which seems a little unusual for his type of character. The same night that the detective returns to question Jessie, they drink an entire bottle of wine together and sleep together. Since flashbacks throughout the movie depict Detective Verito as a conflicted individual, I think adding more internal conflict over his relationship with Jessie would have added another dimension of interest to an already interesting story.
I also think the ending is a little anti-climactic. Although it resolves issues that appear throughout the film regarding Verito and his conflicts with colleagues, it seems weak to me. Considering the centrality of Stan and Jessie’s relationship, I would have been more satisfied to see the final images of the movie deal with that rather than Stan’s professional relationships.
Overall though, this movie is a knockout. I find very little to comment on negatively concerning the writing, acting, pacing or editing. Kudos to Justin for telling a complex story concisely and with style.
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