The Eyes of Laura Mars

Set against the electrifying backdrop of New York City's high fashion and photography industry, The Eyes of Laura Mars from 1978 is a chilling, erotic thriller that expertly combines elements of mystery, suspense, and horror. Starring acclaimed actress Faye Dunaway, indomitable Tommy Lee Jones, and captivating Brad Dourif, the film was ahead of its time in its daring and edgy appeal that challenges the boundary of reality and imagination, and life and death.

Foreshadowing the 80's era obsession with glitz and glamour, the film features Faye Dunaway as Laura Mars, a renowned high-fashion photographer known for her provocative, violent images that seem to glamorize violence against women. Dunaway's portrayal of Laura is an engaging mélange of strength and vulnerability, of a successful, independent woman in the world of fashion yet fearful of a power she doesn't wholly understand.

Laura's life takes a dramatic turn when she begins to experience disturbing, real-time visions of brutal murders through the eyes of what appears to be a killer. These aren't just any murders; they echo the violence and rawness depicted in her photos, blurring the lines of art and reality, catapulting her life and career into a nightmarish chaos. These chilling hallucinations are taken a step further when her closest friends and colleagues become the victims of these brutal slayings, and the murders appear to be directly linked to Laura and her controversial work.

Tommy Lee Jones stars as John Neville, a fiercely intelligent yet skeptical detective assigned to investigate the brutal murders happening around. Jones's classic screen presence and a performance that exudes charismatic skepticism give Neville dimension and depth, allowing for a compelling exploration of his relationship with Laura. His character presents an impartial perspective to the boundless fear and suspicion that increasingly engulf Laura's life, questioning Laura's visions, her sanity, and ultimately, the essence and power of her art.

Brad Dourif, in a thoroughly unforgettable and chilling role, plays Laura's disconcertingly eccentric driver Tommy, who holds a particular fascination for Laura's controversial work. His oddities and devotion to Laura only add to the mounting tension and suspicion as more people around Laura are brutally murdered, and infuse an additional layer of fear and unease to the already taut thriller.

The unraveling mystery and escalating tension are further amplified by the film’s excellent setting. The glitzy and gritty ambience of the New York fashion world of the late '70s serves as a striking contrast to the grim horror enveloping Laura's life. The glittering, high energy photo-shoots, the prestige and allure of fashion shows and parties —all form a dazzling façade that brutally clashes with Laura's terrifying visions and the lurking menace of a serial killer.

The Eyes of Laura Mars is directed with a keen eye for detail by Irvin Kershner, later known for directing the Star Wars sequel The Empire Strikes Back, who brings a striking balance between the glamorous dazzle of the fashion world and the gruesomeness of the murders. John Carpenter, the master of horror himself, has provided the original plot and early drafts of the screenplay, layering the narrative with increasing suspense and horror, enough to keep the audience on the edge of their seats from the beginning to the end.

The movie is also remembered for its stellar work in cinematography – a dazzling depiction of 70s New York and the equally visceral portrayal of the gruesome murders. The music, featuring a haunting hit song "Prisoner (Love Theme from Eyes of Laura Mars)" performed by Barbra Streisand, perfectly encapsulates the movie's central theme about the dichotomy between beauty and horror, and plays a key role in building up its dramatic suspense.

What makes this movie hold its captivation even after many decades since its release is its bold exploration of the intersecting worlds of fine art, eroticism, and aberrant violence. Add in Dunaway's riveting performance, a suspenseful murder mystery, and a generous dose of 70s-style glamour and fashion, and you have a film that remains as intriguing as it is thrilling. The Eyes of Laura Mars, with its truly inventive plot and memorable performances, leaves its viewers with an unsettling question — where does art end, and where does reality begin?