Last Rites ** (1988, Tom Berenger, Daphne Zuniga, Chick Vennera) – Classic Movie Review 11,282

Writer/ producer/ director Donald P Bellisario’s 1987 crime action thriller Last Rites stars Tom Berenger as Father Michael, a virginal New York priest who offers the protection of his church to exotic Mexican dancer Angela (Daphne Zuniga), the beautiful mistress of a New York mobster, who has witnessed the murder her lover Gino by his jealous wife Zena (Anne Twomey), and is number one on the Mafia’s hit list.

Soon Father Michael is in danger too from organized crime and also facing the temptations of the flesh when he finds himself falling in love with Angela.

Last Rites is an over complex, but run-of-the-mill yarn. It comes as no surprise that Berenger is a mobster’s son or that he falls for Zuniga. But the film is made and performed with some zest and enthusiasm, there is a neat ending, the stars are likeable and Berenger’s a big draw.

It was released in cinemas in the US on 18 November 1988 and premiered on video in the UK, Netherlands, West Germany and Japan.

It is the only theatrical film directed by Donald P Bellisario.

Also in the cast are Chick Vennera, Anne Twomey, Dane Clark, Paul Dooley, Vassili Lambrinos, Adrian Paul, Deborah Pratt, Tony DiBenedetto, Christine Poot, Al Rodriguez, Jack Hallett, Ibi Kaufman, and Frank Patton.

© Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 11,282

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