Ebert awarded four stars while criticizing the satisfying ending for abandoning deeper possibilities; Siskel's separate rating was three-and-a-half stars.

The reel discovery; Mast’s fees; short flight; public shooting; snuff film

In the discussion (5)

Approx. transcript time · 00:32:15Read transcript

The theater reveal is declared the best scene. Mast's theatrical surprise, discovery of the reel and delayed response to 'turn it off' are nitpicks. Scott's reaction and Mast's warning about wanting his daughter back expose unresolved forgiveness questions.
Craig's text notes Jake's abrupt wig-and-shirt transformation; the panel asks why an unknown furniture maker needs a disguise and compares the look to Body Double.
Nitpicks revisit Mast finding the reel and whether he is prolonging the case for fees; the panel concludes he is both skilled and milking the situation.
Nitpicks: flying from Los Angeles to San Diego rather than driving, and Mast shooting in a public street without evident consequences. His dropped ankle-holster gun is praised.
Nitpicks question whether the shown snuff film depicts a real killing; the panel corrects confusion that Kristen is the woman shown.

In the discussion (3)

Approx. transcript time · 01:00:55Read transcript

Casting what-if and aged worst: Warren Beatty reportedly wanted the missing daughter changed to a girlfriend, which the panel rejects as wrong for this story. His delayed Howard Hughes project is also discussed.
Casting what-if: The studio reportedly rejected Diana Scarwid; discussion then turns to casting Ilah Davis. The panel criticizes the rushed final father-daughter scene and argues Davis was not equipped for the rewritten demands.
Recasting couch: Melanie Griffith could handle Kristen's later scene, but would seem less innocent initially. Marilyn Chambers reportedly considered for Nikki; the panel still praises Hubley.

Melanie Griffith as Kristen, with reservations

In the discussion (1)

Approx. transcript time · 01:09:27Read transcript

Recasting couch: Melanie Griffith could handle Kristen's later scene, but would seem less innocent initially. Marilyn Chambers reportedly considered for Nikki; the panel still praises Hubley.

Tony Romo

In the discussion (1)

Approx. transcript time · 01:13:26Read transcript

Director commentary choice: Tony Romo is preferred to Cris Collinsworth, with improvised football-commentary jokes.

Milius criticism; locations; inspiration; Nikki/Iris theory; poster line

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 01:13:58Read transcript

Research: John Milius criticized Schrader's directing; Grand Rapids residents disliked the production. A local missing-girl story inspired the premise, and real adult-entertainment locations were reportedly difficult to secure.
Research: Hubley worked with adult performers; a Nikki-as-older-Taxi-Driver-Iris theory receives support as an interpretation. The poster's daughter line is reportedly absent from the film.

Jake’s obsession; a better ending without finding Kristen

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 01:26:36Read transcript

Jake's persistence is interpreted through spiritual guilt, loneliness and repression; his marriage and daughter's rebellion are discussed speculatively, with an Ice Storm joke.
Unanswerable: all agree the movie would improve if he never found his daughter; the studio-mandated rescue ending and unknown box office are discussed.

8mm; Taxi Driver; Cat People

In the discussion (1)

Approx. transcript time · 01:31:15Read transcript

Double feature:8 mmis the clear choice, with Taxi Driver and Cat People alternatives.