Slam Dance landed on home video back in march of 1988, after an October 2, 1987 theatrical release.
I use to live for these shelf warmers. Erstwhile Amadeus Tom Hulce plays an artist dragged into a noir-tinged spiral of murder, paranoia, and 80s hedonism malaise. Hulce always had this soft, twitchy intensity that can make even the most ridiculous lines feel sincere. Which comes in handy here, since the plot’s a hot mess who’s had one too many.
It comes off as a fairly stylish neo-noir film fatale, but the more you engage with it, the more you realize that it’s looking over your shoulder and would rather be partying with Blue Velvet.
Virginia Madsen, the Laura Palmer of the piece, slinks throughout the film like it was written around her iconic outfit. Harry Dean Stanton pops up looking like he’s just waiting for someone to offer him a cigarette, and a reason to care. You also get a heavy dose of permed-up Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, and Adam Ant drops in to add some extra cool. This club’s guest list doesnt pay for drinks.
Slam Dance might sound like the name of a band that would open for Shriekback, but it’s an attractive film that gets better looking with every shot. It’s got smooth moves and some fancy foot work, but it attempts a few jump flips without sticking the landing. Still, it’s an intriguing and quirky little neon noir murder mystery that doesn’t quite know what it wants to say, but after a line or two, it says it with conviction.
All in all, Slam Danse is a squiffy little rental, but you’ve definitely taken home worse