Retro Review: ‘Scissors’

In the early 1990’s, Sharon Stone became a superstar thanks to the then trend of Hollywood to delve into dark sexually charged thrillers which did big business among hip, urbane adult moviegoers. Starting with her big break in Basic Instinct, the actress would become a sex symbol starring in films like Sliver and The Quick and the Dead. However, in 1991, the year before her big break Stone would star in what may be her strangest, but most interesting films Scissors.

Following an attempted assault, wherein the troubled Angela is able to defend herself with a pair of scissors, the young woman turns to the psychiatrist Dr. Carter. She also meets twin brothers, Alex and Cole who also live in her building. This kicks off a love triangle as she develops a relationship with hunky Alex while mobility handicapped Cole lusts after her. In the midst of all this, Angie ends up trapped in an apartment which forces her to face all of her psychological trauma.

You may have noticed from the above paragraph the Scissors is a movie where a LOT happens. Writer/director Frank De Felitta apparently had no shortage of ideas to add layers of drama and suspense to his picture and could not bear to leave any of them behind. There is enough drama and plot twists to fill a soap opera, but it is executed with a stylish moodiness that elevates would could have been a B-grade script. This thriller does rely on a denial of plausibility but it is entertaining enough to warrant it. While Sharon Stone was still on the precipice of her career peak, the actress proves quite capable of carrying a film. Her charisma and an often-overlooked acting talent are major reasons why this movie works. Throughout the pervasive underlying weirdness of everything going on, she manages to keep the movie grounded somehow which should be applauded.

Being one of those movies I randomly caught because I was up far too late Scissors came as a pleasant surprise to me. A strange psychological thriller where you are never quite sure what is truly going on, but in the best way possible.