Ebert welcomes Pacino’s sharp, complicated return to the street-role presence of his 1970s work.
Ebert awards three stars and singles out the leads’ chemistry and Barkin’s forceful sexuality.
Ebert objects that the late killer reveal violates fair whodunit expectations.

Budget and gross; spontaneous ending; deleted scenes; Price’s source; director change; Toronto interiors

In the discussion (6)

Approx. transcript time · 00:36:22Read transcript

The stated budget is $19 million and gross $110.9 million; possible inclusion in a future box-office theme is discussed rather than established.
A director-commentary account confirms the passerby bump in the final scene was retained for Pacino’s spontaneous recovery.
Deleted scenes include a mistaken confrontation with a child’s bodyguard and a visit from Frank’s pregnant ex-wife, played by Bracco.
Harold Becker replaced Gregory Hoblit as director.
Price adapted ideas from The Ladies’ Man, which grew out of a Penthouse assignment investigating public sexual venues.
The interiors were filmed in Toronto, consistent with the apartments’ unusually large size.

Personal ads display; Helen’s tolerance; coworker conflict; Helen Keller name; unseen stalking

In the discussion (6)

Approx. transcript time · 00:47:02Read transcript

Keeping multiple singles ads displayed beside the child’s artwork is suspiciously conspicuous.
Helen tolerates implausibly many warning signs: confinement, drinking, dishonesty, workplace aggression and being treated as a murder suspect.
Frank admitting he was investigating Helen when they met makes the relationship even harder to accept.
Frank should not have to keep working beside his former wife’s new partner.
Marriage would make Helen’s name Helen Keller, an awkward coincidence the script never acknowledges.
How the killer tracks every date without Helen noticing remains doubtful, despite the predictable shoe-store schedule.

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 01:12:17Read transcript

Dustin Hoffman was initially intended for the lead, prompting concern that his pairing with Barkin would be even stranger.
Lorraine Bracco’s deleted role is recalled.

In the discussion (1)

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

Oscar Isaac is preferred for Frank; Jon Hamm and Paul Giamatti are additional suggestions.

Yankees-sting legality; cigarette count; Helen’s mother; relationship duration

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 01:22:24Read transcript

The legal basis for the Yankees sting and immediate celebratory drinking are questioned.
An informal count finds twelve on-screen Pacino cigarettes, with possible omissions acknowledged.
Helen’s mother’s opinion of the relationship remains uncertain.
The relationship’s likely short duration is questioned.