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Compromising Positions (1985)

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All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 5.2/10
Reviews Counted: 17
Fresh: 9 | Rotten: 8

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 3
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 2

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Average Rating: 3.2/5
User Ratings: 67

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Movie Info

Director Frank Perry brings Susan Issacs' comedic whodunit novel to the screen with Susan Sarandon as a Long Island housewife who tries to escape her deadening suburban life by trying to solve the murder of a philandering local dentist. The dentist, Bruce Fleckstein (Joe Mantegna), is the kind of swinging ladies' man who wears gold chains and jazzy clothing. He also arranges to meet his lonely housewife patients in hotel rooms for afternoon quickies. When he is found murdered in his office, the

R, 1 hr. 39 min.

Mystery & Suspense, Comedy

Directed By: Frank Perry

In Theaters: Jun 1, 1985 Wide

Paramount Home Video

Compromising Positions Trailer & Photos

Cast

Susan Sarandon
Judith Singer
Raul Julia
David Suarez
Edward Herrmann
Bob Singer
Judith Ivey
Nancy Miller
Mary Beth Hurt
Peg Tuccio
Joe Mantegna
Dentist Bruce Fleckstei...
Anne De Salvo
Phyllis Fleckstein
Josh Mostel
Dicky Dunck
Deborah Rush
Brenda Dunck
Joan Allen
Mary Alice Mahoney
Elkan Abramowitz
Police Sergeant
Jason Beghe
Cupcake
Tanya Berezin
Newsday Editor
Paul Butler
Cop
Bill Cobbs
Sgt. Williams
Jack Gilpin
Patrol Car Cop
Tim Jerome
Rabbi
Kaiulani Lee
Scotty Hughes
Amanda Lyons
Kate Singer
Jon Polito
Cop
Pat Harper
Newscaster
Harris Laskaway
Leader Cop
William Youmans
Motel Clerk
Chris Cunningham
Joey Singer
Edward Hermann

Critic Reviews for Compromising Positions

All Critics (17) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (9) | Rotten (8)

A silly little whodunnit that's a mild embarrassment to all involved.

October 30, 2007 Full Review Source: Variety

| Comment

Variety Staff

Variety

Top Critic

The movie has such a bitter core, such a distaste for its characters, that I ended up feeling uncomfortable in its company.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times

| Comment

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Top Critic

A very mixed bag, but those who've missed a storytelling sense in American movies might want to have a look.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

| Comment

Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

A lightweight but most enjoyable comedy-mystery.

October 30, 2007 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide

| Comment

TV Guide's Movie Guide

It's all very humorous and engaging, if only for proving that American whodunits don't have to have car chases and brutality; and it has a wicked eye for the vacuity of middle-class good life and what it may conceal.

February 9, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out

| Comment

Time Out

Frank Perry's lackadaisical direction hobbles the forward movement of the story and keeps it from being a funny as it could be.

August 21, 2004 Full Review | Comment

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality and Practice

For the most part this is a sharp, funny black comedy crossed with a mildly suspenseful whodunnit, although its reliance on truly dislikeable characters with more money than sense lets it down somewhat.

May 24, 2003 Full Review Source: Film4

| Comment

Film4

Instantly forgettable fluff.

July 26, 2002 Comment

Scott Weinberg

eFilmCritic.com

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Audience Reviews for Compromising Positions

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Great old fashioned style film, with a wonderful performance by Susan Sarandon. But it's Judith Ivey as her wisecracking friend that steals the film from everyone. Well written, interesting and has a great pace. A fun film, witty and pleasantly directed.

December 12, 2009

James Higgins

6.5/10. Great old fashioned style film, with a wonderful performance by Susan Sarandon. But it's Judith Ivey as her wisecracking friend that steals the film from everyone. Well written, interesting and has a great pace. A fun film, witty and pleasantly directed.

January 9, 2007

James Higgins

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