‘Deceived’: Goldie Hawn Stars In This Underrated Pulpy ‘90s Thriller [Watch]
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Damian Harris’ taut psychological thriller, Deceived garnered mixed reviews from critics upon release in 1991. And it didn’t break any box office records either. With that said, I think the film is far better than the critical consensus might have you believe. Deceived serves up eerie thrills and a twisty narrative with a bonkers conclusion that recalls the madness of the gialli of the ‘70s. Additionally, the flick is noteworthy for featuring the iconic Goldie Hawn in a rare dramatic role.
Adrienne (Goldie Hawn) and Jack (John Heard) Saunders have the perfect relationship and the perfect life. They live in a perfect New York apartment with perfect décor where they host perfect parties. They even drive a perfect Volvo station wagon like every perfect yuppie couple of that era did. But when Jack unexpectedly dies in an automobile accident, Adrienne realizes that their glamorous life may actually be a façade. More importantly, she discovers that she barely knew the man to whom she was married. As she attempts to put the puzzle together and figure out who Jack actually was, Adrienne can’t seem to shake the feeling that someone is watching her. As her quest for answers continues, she finds herself in a deadly game of cat and mouse where absolutely nothing is as it seems.
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While Deceived may not be high art, it’s a pulpy, sometimes sexy, and often suspenseful ‘90s thriller in the vein of Sleeping With the Enemy or The Hand That Rocks the Cradle. And I think anyone that appreciates either of the aforementioned titles is sure to find plenty to like about Deceived.
One of the film’s greatest strengths is that it features a really sinister villain. The late John Heard was a smart choice to play the duplicitous Jack. He possessed a certain charisma and had a calming screen presence. Those distinctions make seeing where his character arc ultimately goes all the more jarring. Heard’s nice guy persona provides the audience with a false (and short-lived) sense of security. But when he makes the transition from perfect husband and father to villain, he turns on a dime. Heard seems to be enjoying the chance to step out of the shadow of his good-guy image and is memorable in this villainous turn.
Though she is mostly known for her comedic roles, Goldie Hawn breaks from her comfort zone here and turns in a noteworthy performance as Adrienne. As her arc progresses, we get to see her take charge. She transforms from a hapless victim to a resourceful and empowered heroine. She also shines in a brief but memorable nod to her comedic roots that poke fun at overly indulgent parenting.
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Aside from solid performances from both leads, the film also benefits from an effective screenplay by Mary Agnes Donoghue and Bruce Joel Rubin. The pair spin a suspenseful yarn that pays homage to Hitchcock. While the film isn’t quite on par with the works of the Master of Suspense, Deceived still serves up a prevalent sense of paranoia throughout with the twists coming early and often.
Yes, some of the narrative developments are a bit far-fetched. But Deceived is a pulpy thriller and it’s not trying to be anything more than that. So, as long as one goes into the film with realistic expectations and a willingness to suspend disbelief, I think there’s plenty to enjoy about this under-seen cinematic effort.
If you’re curious to check Deceived out, the flick is available to rent or purchase through all the major digital platforms. But seeing as it has been largely forgotten in the years since its 1991 theatrical bow, the picture is currently out of print on physical media. And that’s a shame.
That’s all for this installment of The Overlooked Motel. If you want to chat more about under-seen and underrated films, feel free to hit me up with your thoughts on Twitter @FunWithHorror!
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