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Body of Evidence (
1993) is an
erotic thriller directed by
Uli Edel and starring
Madonna and
Willem Defoe.
The first theatrical release was censored for the purpose of obtaining an
R rating, reducing the film's running time from 101 to 99 minutes. The video premiere, however, restored the deleted material.
Synopsis
After her much older, wealthy lover dies following an intense session of
sadomasochistic sex,
dominatrix Rebecca Carlson (
Madonna) finds herself charged with his murder. Desperate for freedom, she slowly seduces her attorney, Frank Delaney (
Willem Dafoe), and embarks on a dark and dangerous affair with him.
Reception and controversy
The film was almost universally panned by critics and was nominated for a record six
Golden Raspberries, including "worst actress" for Madonna, which she won. It also appeared on the
2005 list of
Roger Ebert's most hated films. The screenplay and performances were especially disparaged.
Body of Evidence also exacerbated an already burgeoning controversy about Madonna's frequent association with
pornography. Before its release she had already published her
softcore coffee table book Sex, and the film features her and Dafoe's characters in graphic scenes of simulated
rape,
cunnilingus,
anal and
public intercourse. Madonna re-created her look from the film for the music video of her song "
Bad Girl", released at the same time.
Main cast
