Staci Keanan

Cheryl Ladd

D.W. Moffett

Tanya Fenmore

Jeffrey Tambor

Edan Gross

Julie Cobb

Michael Ayr

Lisa Moncure

Tom Dugan

Frankie Thorn

John Hawker

Drew Pillsbury

Elizabeth Gracen

Dennis Bowen

Gary Sherman

Karen Clark

Paula Moody

Alex Nepomniaschy

Ross Albert

Patricia Van Ryker

Shari Feldman

Frank Yablans

Joe Renzetti

Ronald Colby

Stewart Kane McGuire

Lucas Foster

Kerrie Cullen

Ben Scott

Thriller

Drama

Horror

Romance

Lisa

Surreal Productions

Gary Sherman Productions

United Artists

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

United States of America

**_Prosaic flick about a mother & daughter’s clash with a serial killer_**

A 14 years-old girl (Staci Keanan) inadvertently strikes up a secret relationship with a distinguished restauranteur in Hollywood (DW Moffett). Unfortunately, he might also be the notorious Candlelight Killer, which would put her and her mother in danger (Cheryl Ladd).

"Lisa" (1990) is a coming-of-age drama meshed with PG-13 slasher. Writer/director Gary Sherman knows how to make atmospheric horror in view of his well-done "Dead & Buried" (1981). I happened to see Brian De Palma’s “Dressed to Kill” (1980) the night prior and it was thoroughly artistic and well-written with genuine surprises. This film, by comparison, strikes me as by-the-numbers, which no doubt had to do with the modest budget.  

Nevertheless, “Lisa” is a perfectly serviceable film in which the mother & daughter are successfully fleshed out and you find yourself caring for them and their outcome. Staci was only 14 during shooting while Cheryl was 38. If you’re a fan of either, this is certainly worth checking out, even though it’s not exactly high art.

The movie runs 1 hour, 35 minutes, and was shot in Hollywood (the apartment, flower shop and school) and Muse restaurant on Beverly Boulevard in Los Angeles.

GRADE: B-

English

Italiano

Lisa (1989) ORIGINAL TRAILER