Ken Russell+ music score by Rick Wakeman=brilliant film. Throw in the talents of Kathleen Turner, Anthony Perkins, John Laughlin and Annie Potts and you have a winner.A fashion designer by day and a prostitute by night, Joanna Crane, who goes by the name of China Blue when she is turning tricks, is suspected of stealing designs is being followed by an unhappily married Bobby Grady.China Blue aka Joanna is also being stalked by a street preacher, the Reverend Peter Shayne who develops an unhealthy obsession with being able to 'save' her.As a relationship starts to bud between Bobby and Joanna, Peter Shayne becomes more and more frenzied in his attempts to convert Joanna.Crimes Of Passion is a striking movie. The music which is perfect, adds to the sexually charged atmosphere as does the setting and lighting.A thriller that does not fear to cross any boundary and is still able to include genuinely touching scenes, such as one where China Blue is hired to have sex with a man who is terminally ill.The scenes between Bobby and his wife Amy are also tinged with sadness as you can see how very unhappy they both are together.Despite the fine performances from the cast, this is definitely Anthony Perkin's movie. His portrayal of Peter Shayne is both comical and terrifying as the menacing and deranged preacher who is desperate to find salvation in saving China Blue, no matter what the cost.Kathleen Turner also puts in a great performance as the tormented woman who leads two lives. My only gripe with Crimes Of Passion is that Joanna's backstory was never really explored. But that would be a gripping film within itself.Ken Russell's film really explores the darker side of sexual attraction and obsession.It does end on a lighter note though which gives the film a more optimistic feel that gives the film a bit of a lift.Crimes Of Passion is not for everyone, some of the scenes are explicit, but it is worth checking out.

It is no secret that since the beginning of civilization sex and religion have always been able to maintain a unique "love hate" relationship with each other. The story of Adam and Eve is also viewed in the same context. Wherever there is religion, sex is likely to be found and vice versa. No religion has been able to free itself from the influence of sex. This has always been a trend and it would continue to be so in near future too. "Crimes of Passion" might turn out to be mild for many viewers according to today's standards but it was viewed as an absolutely shocking controversial film upon its initial release in 1984. Words would fail to describe actress Kathleen Turner's impeccable performances as 'China Blue'- an expensive hooker who is also leading a double life. Apart from some kinky sex scenes, China blue's character allows viewers to get a glimpse of tough lives faced by hookers. The religious side is presented by actor Anthony Perkins as a crazy priest whose only obsession seems to rescue china blue from damnation at all costs. He is able to succeed to a very large extent but a sudden event completely changes the course of action. Director Ken Russell has been honest with his depiction of people with dual identities. They have been presented as they are in real life without any embellishment. 'Crimes of Passion' has a lot of hilarious lines which denounce hypocrisy, falsehood and dishonesty. They are absolutely essential for viewers' comprehension in order to give them better ideas about a marriage which is on the verge of collapse due to lack of sex and how mean are societies to create and promote fallen women like "China Blue" for their selfish interests ?

***SPOILERS*** Being a highly paid and very successful fashion designer isn't the life that Joanna Crane, Kathleen Turner, hoped it would be in her having no time to develop any lasting and fulfilling relationships with her many clients. It's when Joanna went native and became the free soul and anything goes hooker China Blue that her drab and boring life suddenly changed overnight. Out on the streets and turning tricks Joanna, or China Blue, could now live out her fantasies in real life with people she's very at home with. Not the stiffs and square heads that she deals with at her day job.It's almost by accident that China Blue runs into surveillance expert Bobby Grady, John Laughlin, who's been hired by her boss to spy on her in him feeling that Joanna aka China Blue is passing off company secrets to rival firms. Meanwhile Bobby is undergoing a life change in that his wife Amy, Annie Potts, is not responding to his love making efforts in bed. Having faked it for over 10 years Amy finally admits that Bobby just can't turn her on not because he lacks the proper equipment but that she herself is a cold fish when it comes to him trying to make love to her.It's when Bobby runs into China Blue that his sex life is revitalized to the point when he just can't spend as much as an evening away from her. The hot and heavy action between Bobby and China Blue doesn't go unnoticed from street corner preacher Rev. Peter Shayne, Anthony Perkins, who been after China in trying to save her soul from a life of sin and degradation. It's in the crazed Rev. Shayne's attempt to save China Blue that leads him into the very degenerate lifestyle that he's trying to get her out of! This triple X, Bobby China Blue & Rev. Shayne, relationship comes to a shocking conclusion when the three end up in the same place, China/Joanna's apartment, for the films utterly shocking and totally unexpected climax!***SPOILERS***Dispite the very good performances by both John Laughlin and Kathleen Turner I have to say that it was the neurotic and constantly sweating Anthony Perkins who ended up stealing the show. As nutty and obnoxious as ever Perkins made every scene that he was in count with him never breaking a sweat by him never once acting as if he were a normal person. To top off his earth shattering and mind bending interpretation of a deranged religious nut Perkins even had the time to revive his famous role of Norman Bates that will blow your mind! Just like he did to the very unsuspecting audiences watching him in the film "Psycho" some 25 years earlier!

Back in the 80's there was a lot of controversy surrounding this film. I remember hearing about a battle with the MPAA regarding the rating. MPAA wanted to give it an X rating so Russell had to edit it down in order to achieve an R rating.I was sixteen and a friend and I snuck into the theatre to see this. I wanted to know what the buzz was about. I was mesmerized and this film continues to exist in my top ten favorite films of all time (as is Tommy, another Ken Russell masterpiece). Tony Perkins has perfected the art of playing psychotic maniacs and his performance here is no exception. Turner, in her finest performance ever, sizzles up the screen as China Blue, a whore by night, fashion designer by day. She parades around in this satin blue dress in the red light district performing fantasies for kinky clients. The dialogue is incredibly witty and Turner and Perkins play so perfectly off each other. Perkins with his portable pedestal, bible and doctor bag full of sex toys (there is one in particular that will make your jaw drop).This is one of those love/hate films. You either love it or you hate it. I attempted to turn so many people onto this film. Some were so offended by the meshing of religion and sex that they couldn't get through the whole thing. Others, like me, loved it and can watch it repeatedly and continue to be amused by the script, the performances, the art direction.This film is indeed a piece of art. But art is subjective. So enter with an open mind.