this movie be a coveted member of my movie library . while not a mainstream film and it be and in my view and a highly effective film noir in which eric robert be totally underrated a an actor . ( i would qualify him a a much good actor than his sister and julia and who be overrate and but that another review . ) roberts play the down on his luck ex reporter with the perfect mix of narrative precision and jade idealism represent two ingredient that be part and parcel of any effective film noir . the first person narration by robert enhances the quality of the movie and and keep u guess on the real motive behind the crime . set in palm spring and everything about the setting in the movie progress slowly a a metaphor for the theme of oppression represent asch ( robert ) be oppress by his past while the police be oppress by the rich resident of palm spring who treat them a servant while the rich and meanwhile and be oppress by boredom ( watch johnny depp classic performance a the insightful rich kid who only want to be love . ) while the isolation of each character be omnipresent and be far augment by the heat and isolation of the desert . there be an audience for this film if theyre look for a more contemporary version of film noir . while there be element of the film that might have be tight and i recommend get a copy of this film and put it right between the big sleep and chinatown in your movie library . ( the film be base on the arthur lyon book and castle burn and and if you like robert act in this one and you may want to get a copy of the ambulance and in which he showcases his funnier and light side . ) best line in the film represent careful . careful of what . i should have ask . only fool ignore the strange warning of trailer park lady .