Alan Rickman simply cannot make a bad movie or turn in a less than perfect performance. The variety of his role choices continues to provide his fans insight into every possible facet of his magnificent talent. His role as good-cop in 'Judas Kiss' is no exception. Coupled with Emma Thompson as a tough federal agent, the two English talents provide this film with 'class'. Simon Baker (TV's The Guardian) appears as a character devoid of 'class' in a role completely opposite the classy, brooding attorney we have come to associate with this very talented young Australian actor. Hal Holbrook and Roscoe Lee Brown give their usual great performances in roles a little closer-to-home for them.

The steamy sex, mayhem and murder, and New Orleans atmosphere make this film as hot as the 'Big Easy' in August, but the setting compliments rather than overwhelms the film. The story could have been set in any big city.

I recommend this film for those who enjoy a quirky, interesting mystery with style. While for fans of Rickman - it is a must-see!

Contrary to other reviews... (Rating: 5.00)
Review : I found this movie to be utterly hilarious! It's a bit wierd but that's what makes it stand out from the others. I think each character was unique making the movie that much better! I give it 'two thumbs up'

A campy but enjoyable film noir for a dull Saturday night (Rating: 4.00)
Review : If you're sitting around on a Saturday night looking for something entertaining to watch, you just might want to check out "Judas Kiss". Sure it's campy...you bet it's quirky, don't expect Oscar contending material BUT do expect an unusual yet entertaining little film. This is not mainstream stuff. It's a little like "Fargo" meets the "Maltese Falcon". An oddball cast of criminals come together and concoct a scheme to kidnap and extort enough cash from a wealthy businessman to set them up for the good life. Unfortunately, something goes terribly wrong and their crime also includes an unintended murder.

Enter the local police detective and the F.B.I. These are played delightfully by Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson. An odd choice to cast two Brits as New Orleans natives...but that's where the fun begins. If you truly want to enjoy this film for what it is, you are going to have to overlook the bad accents. But that's easy to do because it's obvious that these two actors are having a blast playing these roles. Alan is just great as the near-burnt-out, cynical, yet still honest detective and Emma is a hoot as the tough-as-nails F.B.I. agent. No proper Miss Dashwood this time. She is a fast-talking, hard-hitting, no-nonsene dame who exchanges witty repartee and sexy double-entendres with Alan while a cigarette dangles from the corner of her mouth. I was half expecting her to call him "doll-face" or refer to him as a "to-may-tah". She even stalks her suspect on rollerblades. You go, girl!

Alan Rickman is excellent as the detective who slowly realizes that he is being used in an elaborate, backroom scam by corrupt officials. When he finally figures it all out...he's pissed as hell but determined to expose the whole lot of them. Watch out for that golf swing!

The criminals are an unusual bunch with a stand-out performance by Carla Gugino. She is the soul of this disturbing group of misfits and despite the terrible crime she commited, she plays her role with such honesty that you can't help but end up pulling for her.

All in all this is an unusual yet enjoyable film. The New Orleans backdrop and salsa/jazz soundtrack add to the spiciness as this tale twists and turns to it's conclusion. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday night.

Stock characters, stock plot, not much Emma T (Rating: 2.00)
Review : Well, I watched this movie. I watched the bad accents, the gratuitous sex. the insipid characters (or caricatures). There is the tired cop and the cynical FBI agent, the Police Captain who seems to want the case solved but then does everything he can to block progress, and the US Senator who blusters about justice on TV but about ‘pulling every string I can get you fired’ in private.

The plot involves a kidnapping that goes awry and the centers mostly on the grifters as they try to make things right get the loot and not get caught. It was a forgettable group with the typical wackoo muscle guy and the Harvard intellectual and staring a pair of low-life lovers hoping for the big score.

Don’t waste your time getting this movie for 10 minutes of Emma Thompson.

What on earth were they thinking??? (Rating: 2.00)
Review : I understand Emma Thompson was pressed to read this screenplay at an event and was instantly interested. She then persuaded her friend Alan Rickman to become involved. What on earth were they thinking??? It's hard to believe that the woman who wrote the brilliant screenplay for "Sense and Sensibility" could have been impressed with this dud. Thompson is my favorite actress and Rickman is my favorite actor, but, oh my God, the accents are terrible! I used to say I would pay to hear Rickman read the phonebook but I would want that money back if he used THIS accent. Rickman can now sympathize with his co-star Kevin Costner's laughable attempt at a British accent in Robin Hood! There is nothing new in this plot, and the sex scenes give new meaning to gratuitous. Save your money...but if you adore the velvet voice of Alan Rickman speaking the King's English as no one else can, listen to his audiobook recording of "The Return of the Native"...over 15 hours of ecstacy!!