Lipstick

Lipstick, a riveting thriller-drama released in 1976, is an intriguing cinematic piece featuring a star-studded cast. The silver screen sensation Margaux Hemingway takes the lead with sterling supports from Chris Sarandon and Perry King. Hemingway’s talent shines as she adeptly portrays the struggles and self-assertiveness of her character, while Sarandon and King provide convincing performances, adding depth to the storyline.

The movie revolves around Christine, a stunningly beautiful and highly successful fashion model, portrayed by Margaux Hemingway. Christine resides with her younger sister Kathy, wonderfully incarnated by a young Mariel Hemingway, Margaux's real-life sister. The sisters' quiet lives in their high-rise apartment are abruptly disturbed by a horrific chain of events, leaving them shaken and their peaceful existence disrupted.

Chris Sarandon plays Gordon Stuart, a hip music teacher who captivates his students, including Kathy, with his charisma and unconventional teaching methods. However, beneath his charming exterior hides a terrifying personality that surfaces when he crosses paths with Christine. Their troubling encounters ignite a series of incidents that drastically changes the trajectory of their lives.

Through Hemingway's portrayal of Christine, Lipstick explores the world of high fashion, where appearance is everything. However, it becomes clear that Carroll Baker as the fashion photographer and Perry King as an attorney and love interest offer more than just surface-level support. The film delves into the emotional and psychological dimensions of its characters, covering themes related to victimhood, justice, survival, and the stark realities that often hide behind glittering façades.

Lipstick captures the highs and lows of a glamorous world, and yet also illuminates the nerve-wracking struggles ordinary people encounter in their battle for justice. With a dramatic crescendo, the narrative takes sharp turns, constantly keeping the audience on edge. As Christine fights against her circumstances, the movie poignantly underscores how situations can push individuals into taking desperate measures. It is this fight for survival and justice that provides the film with its potent emotional resonance.

The performances elicited by director Lamont Johnson are nothing short of spectacular. Margaux Hemingway in her film debut rises to the challenge, delivering a performance that embodies vulnerability and strength in equal measure. Meanwhile, Sarandon embodies the disturbing character of Gordon Stuart with far too convincing charisma and menace. Perry King, too, compliments the primary cast with a performance that emphasizes his character’s sincerity and dedication.

The cinematography by William A. Fraker deserves praise for capturing both the glamour of the fashion world and the stark urban realities. Music by Michel Polnareff adds a haunting touch to the overall ambiance, enhancing the rising tension and dramatic climax of the narrative.

Yet Lipstick is more than a thriller/drama. It’s a critique of societal structures and an examination of the justice system, challenging audiences to question perceptions of right and wrong, guilt and innocence. The film becomes a template for highlighting key issues relevant even today, presenting a cinematic representation of struggles for justice, particularly from a woman's perspective.

Simply put, Lipstick offers viewers an engaging, tension-filled exploration of glamour, violence, and justice. With a storyline that peaks and troughs, and performances that are as intense as they are gripping, Lipstick represents a memorable cinematic experience. If one approaches it with an understanding of its era and an appreciation for its intent to shed light on relevant social issues, then this 1976 thriller won't disappoint.