Against All Odds (1984)

Cast includes:
CHARACTER	ACTOR/ACTRESS	RATING
Terry Brogan	Jeff Bridges
Jessie Wyler	Rachel Ward	½
Jacob "Jake" Wise	James Woods
Hank Sully	Alex Karras
Mrs. Grace Wyler	Jane Greer
Ben Caxton	Richard Widmark
Tommy	Dorian Harewood	-
Edie	Swoosie Kurtz	½
Steve Kirsch	Saul Rubinek
Ed Phillips	Pat Corley	-

Review

Like too many films in the erotic thriller sub-genre, Against All Odds is like two different films before and after a genre-shifting turning point mid-film, when a sexy and quite perceptive drama about a semi-desperate washed-out football player (Jeff Bridges) who embarks on a steaming love affair with a mysterious seductress (Rachel Ward), turns into a noirish thriller with all the usual elements of deceit and sudden power shifts. Director Taylor Hackford, fresh from An Officer and a Gentleman, lays the groundwork rather well, but then forces his noir/thriller elements upon us without the necessary sleight of hand. The film doesn't justify its shift in tone; what we're left watching is genre for the sake of it. James Woods and Richard Widmark can be effective in these types of roles, but they need more to work with than what they are given here. Jeff Bridges is engaging and industrious in the lead, and he is equally believable in the football ambience as in his romantic scenes with Ward, which have potential. Saul Rubinek is fine in a sneaky supporting role. The title song by Genesis turned out to be a big hit. Unfortunately, the synthy score by Michel Colombier isn't on the same level.