The premise of the film seems very clear-cut, with no surprises to be had. Nonetheless, there was a moment after I discovered the title, and before I began watching, that I thought there may be a possibility of something a bit more noteworthy. After all, there are some solid names in the cast, and surely they wouldn't be dragged into total pablum, would they?

Well. Olivia Hussey has barely any time on screen - a grand total of about 1 minute, if that; I assume her appearance was fulfillment of some contractual obligation, or perhaps a favor owed. Throughout Michael Ironside's career, he has turned in portrayals that have ranged from enthusiastically all-in to perfunctorily phoning it in - and his turn here is on the latter end of the spectrum. I can't say I'm particularly familiar with Harry Hamlin, but I've seen him around; whatever his list of credits may portend, in this instance his acting is less than convincing - generally subdued, and rather bereft of nuance. For what it's worth, Lysette Anthony seems to be the only person in the cast to give a meaningful performance - maybe just as much to the point, hers is the only role written with sufficient complexity to allow her space to emote. As Ellie she ably demonstrates range and nuanced poise to bring the character to life. Unfortunately, for much of the length, opportunities for Anthony to show her skills as an actress are outnumbered by the scenes that merely require her to be unclothed.

I don't think 'Save me' is outright bad. It definitely leaves a lot to be desired, though.

The initial scenes of romance feel forced and inorganic. If not every last one, there are still a few major story beats here are predictable somewhat early on. Though I can appreciate the induction of minor admirable themes at the climax, they make for specious motivation considering how the character in question had been written all throughout the rest of the movie previously, and feel shoehorned in as they are. The very end, the literal last few seconds, are plainly overdone. There's poor balance between the thriller plot, and the steamy romance. Factor in broadly lackluster displays of acting, and it's hard to be truly invested in the movie. It's kind of enjoyable, but only just.

I suppose the technical craft and rounding details are quite fine, including costume design, hair and makeup, sound design, and so on. If unexceptional, and despite the mentioned unbalance, I do think the scene writing from one moment to the next is reasonably strong, and the execution of each, too - love scene, drama, and action alike. Why, there's even a small sense of tension, and suspense; would that I could be more enthusiastic about the narrative overall. Fair as they are, however, these don't truly stand out, nor counterbalance the lack of readily striking construction elsewhere in the film. If not for Lysette Anthony giving an admirable, comparably adept performance (evident even through the constraints of the sultry side of the writing) I don't know that I could say there was much of anything especially distinct about 'Save me.' There's not enough here to distinguish it from similar titles.

In all fairness, if you're looking for a thriller filled with (softcore) eroticism, then this is pretty much exactly the movie you want. And to be clear, I don't dislike 'Save me'; I think there were good ideas here. But the screenplay isn't wholly sound, and its realization is essentially just all around unremarkable. Unless you're a specific fan of someone in the cast, or unless this is precisely what you were seeking in the first place, there's no reason to go out of your way to find this picture. Still, it's not the worst way to pass 90 minutes.

Recommended if you want a passably entertaining thriller without needing to actively engage with it.

The erotic thriller subgenre features elements of sexual desire, romantic relationships, and sexual intrigue while incorporating elements of danger, or crime to create tension and suspense. The erotic thriller genre typically features adult themes and explicit sexual scenes. Viewers should make informed decisions based on their preferences and comfort levels.

The mystery genre features the investigation and solving of a puzzle, typically a crime or an enigmatic event. Mysteries are known for their suspenseful narratives, intricate plots, and the challenge they present to readers or viewers to piece together clues and solve the central mystery alongside the characters.

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The thriller genre features suspense, tension, and excitement. These stories are known for keeping audiences on the edge of their seats and delivering intense emotional experiences by revolving around high-stakes situations, dangerous conflicts, and the constant anticipation of unexpected events.

An accountant beleaguered by personal and professional problems gets involved with a femme fatale and her mysterious psychiatrist.

Lysette Anthony and Harry Hamlin in Save Me (1994)

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