have not read the novel and i can not tell how faithful this film be . the story be typical mystery material represent killer target newlywed while woman investigator fall in love with her partner and be diagnose with a fatal disease . yes and it sound like a soap opera and that exactly how it play . the first 2/3 be dull and save for the murder and the last 1/3 make a partial comeback a it pick up speed toward it twisty conclusion . acting be strictly sub par and though it hard to blame the actor alone represent the screenplay be atrocious . during the last 1/3 you stop notice because the film actually become interesting and but that only the last 1/3 . director russell mulcahy be very much in his element and but there only so much he can do with a tv budget and the network censor on his back . he pretty much limit to quick cut and distorted lens and though he manage to squeeze in a couple under the floor shot during the murder in the club restroom . unfortunately and a this be make for tv and the cool compositional detail he use so well with a wider image be nowhere to be find . note to producer represent give this man a reasonable budget and an anamorphic lens when you hire him . sum it up represent this film be bad by cinema standard and mediocre by tv standard ( watch csi and instead ) . if youre in the mood for a film like this and i have some excellent suggestion represent pick up a copy of dario argento deep red ( my high recommendation while superb film ) and opera and or even tenebre . theyre stronger in every category .