FEBRUARY’S EROTIC THRILLS IN THE NIGHT: SEA OF LOVE (1989).

“Deception is dangerous. Desire is deadly.” Light up a cigarette and throw on your favorite trench coat with nothing else underneath because it’s time for our Erotic Thrills In The Night for February: 1989’s SEA OF LOVE.

Al Pacino plays New York City detective Frank Keller, a burnt-out cop investigating a serial killer who lures his victims using personal ads and leaves the Phil Phillips song “Sea of Love” playing at the crime scenes. Detective Frank is pulled into a classic vortex of seduction as he falls head over heels for one of his prime suspects after conducting a plan to find the killer by posting his own personal ads.

Al Pacino delivers on all fronts playing a burnt-out detective. I absolutely cherish burnt-out cop movies, and hell, now that I’m thinking about it, we could easily devote a month-long chronicle of the best burnt-out cops to ever grace the screen. The classic case of these brooding men is a cop who has a troubled history and therefore now works too hard, doesn’t sleep, has no life, is always grumpy, drinks too much and lives haunted by his past. Detective Frank Keller is a textbook case. He wanders the streets at night, smokes 497 cigarettes, obsesses over the killer and is permanently tired but still sharp as a nail.

When Frank begins getting involved with prime suspect #1 Helen Cruger, peak horniness ensues as passions burn and desires are felt. Yes, those might be Dokken lyrics but they are also a good indication of the animal attraction that Frank and Helen bring to these scenes.

A supermarket rendezvous is prompted by Frank when he calls Helen on a pay phone, asking her what she’s wearing and requesting that she meet him. This is right when he’s having a stressed-out cop moment by working too hard on the case and being lonely. It couldn’t come at a better time and she gives Frank the sultry distraction that he so needs. Without spoiling the scene for those who haven’t seen the film, below is a sneak peek.

After watching this scene you might not be just thinking of vegetables the next time you’re standing at the produce section of the grocery store. Or perhaps you’ll lock eyes with a lucky someone while picking out yellow peppers and lettuce. Just be sure to have some sensuous saxophone music like this in the background…

Trevor Jones composed the music for Sea of Love and it’s truly one of those perfect scores for a film of this caliber. Have a listen and just try not to get hot and bothered.

The “Main Title Theme” has been a personal favorite of mine for a long time. Listen to how the percussion and saxophone drift over the synth melody like city steam rising from the sewers and dissipating into thin air just a moment later. Then it repeats itself, again and again. I can picture the empty streets at 4 a.m. and dimly lit street lamps. Then suddenly, the sound of high heels walking against the pavement from the distance. A rhythmic, click-clack sound of red stillettos that evokes feelings of elegance, power and potential danger.

Sea of Love is an absolute staple in the erotic thriller genre. TNUC recommends watching it preferably late into the night when the mood is right and you find yourself in a haze of crime, lust and cigarettes. (Or just watch it how you please).

‘Erotic Thrills In The Night’ is a monthly chronicle into the forgotten world of the erotic thriller movie genre. These sultry titles and steamy VHS covers were at their absolute peak during the early 1990’s but as years progress, they fall deeper into the abyss. Inspired by the recent documentary We Kill For Love, this monthly feature will attempt to resurrect these films and keep you on the brink of seduction. We can’t predict what indecent behavior will be committed or how much illicit, unprotected, promiscuous activity will ensue, but prepare for a wild ride with lots of saxophone.