Crimes of Passion

Crimes of Passion

Year: 1984

Runtime: 107 min

Language: English

DramaThrillerRomance

Joanna Crane, a sportswear designer, seeks stress relief by working as a prostitute under the name China Blue. Her double life becomes complicated when a priest attempts to “save” her from what he perceives as a sinful existence. However, he harbors a secret fascination with peep shows, creating a complex and hypocritical dynamic.

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Timeline & Setting – Crimes of Passion (1984)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Crimes of Passion (1984). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Set in contemporary times, the film reflects societal issues surrounding marital dissatisfaction and identity struggles. The era depicted resonates with themes of hidden lives and the consequences of seeking solace in vices.

Location

Los Angeles, Paradise Hotel, Red-Light District

The movie unfolds in vibrant downtown Los Angeles, known for its eclectic mix of culture and personas. The Paradise Hotel serves as a key setting, representing a facade where deception and desire intersect. The red-light district adds to the gritty backdrop, highlighting the city's underbelly and the complexity of its inhabitants' lives.

🏙️ City 🏨 Hotel 🚦 District

Last Updated: January 14, 2025 at 22:08

Main Characters – Crimes of Passion (1984)

Meet the key characters of Crimes of Passion (1984), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Bobby Grady (John Laughlin)

Bobby is an electronics repairman who grapples with marital dissatisfaction and the allure of a more exciting life. His character navigates feelings of frustration and longing, revealing the complexities of his desires and responsibilities. Bobby's journey towards self-discovery ultimately leads him to confront both his marriage and his connection with Joanna.

👨‍🔧 Husband 🤔 Conflicted ❤️ Lover

Joanna Crane (Kathleen Turner)

Joanna is a talented yet troubled fashion designer living a double life as the enigmatic prostitute China Blue. Her character is both alluring and vulnerable, embodying the struggle between professional ambition and personal fulfillment. Joanna’s evolution throughout the film highlights her quest for connection amidst the chaos of her existence.

👗 Designer 😈 Seductive ⚖️ Complex

Peter Shayne (Anthony Perkins)

Peter Shayne is a twisted street preacher whose obsession with Joanna blurs the lines between love and madness. His delusions and violent tendencies create a looming threat in the film, showcasing the darker sides of human desire. Shayne's complex character evokes empathy despite his sinister actions.

🤑 Obsessed 🌪️ Chaotic 📖 Preacher

Last Updated: January 14, 2025 at 22:08

Major Themes – Crimes of Passion (1984)

Explore the central themes of Crimes of Passion (1984), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

❤️ Love & Betrayal

The film navigates the tumultuous waters of love intertwined with betrayal. Bobby's struggle with his marital fidelity and his emotional connection with Joanna challenges traditional notions of relationships. It delves into the consequences of seeking passion outside of the bounds of marriage.

🎭 Identity

Identity serves as a central theme, particularly through Joanna's dual life as a fashion designer and a prostitute. The film explores how individuals can create facades to protect their true selves while grappling with the consequences of these disguises.

🔪 Violence

The movie unearths the violent impulses that can emerge from obsession and desperation. Peter Shayne's character embodies a dangerous fixation, illustrating how love can devolve into madness and aggression when pushed to the limits.

Last Updated: January 14, 2025 at 22:08

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Movies about voyeurism and dark desires like Crimes of Passion

Films that explore obsession and fractured identity through a viewer's gaze.If you liked the voyeuristic tension and exploration of hidden desires in Crimes of Passion, you'll find similar stories here. These films delve into obsession, fractured identities, and the dark psychological thrill that comes from watching and being watched, often with high intensity.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically involve a character drawn into a dangerous obsession, often framed by watching or stalking. The narrative unfolds by revealing the psychological damage of both the observer and the observed, culminating in a tense confrontation that blurs the lines between fantasy and reality.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped together because they share a core focus on voyeurism as a narrative device, a dark and tense tone, and complex character studies of obsession. They create a claustrophobic, anxious mood by making the audience complicit in the act of watching.

Movies about double lives and moral collapse like Crimes of Passion

Stories where secret identities lead to psychological and moral collapse.For viewers who enjoyed the theme of a double life leading to chaos in Crimes of Passion, this thread collects similar films. These stories focus on characters fractured by their secrets, navigating worlds of sexual fantasy, marital strife, and psychological disturbance, often with bittersweet or bleak outcomes.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern follows a character attempting to maintain two separate existences, often as an escape from their primary life. The tension escalates as these worlds dangerously collide, forcing a confrontation that shatters their carefully constructed identity and leads to a profound personal reckoning.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared exploration of dual identities, the psychological toll of secrecy, and themes of sexual liberation or transgression. They share a complex narrative structure, a dark, frustrated mood, and a heavy emotional weight centered on personal disintegration.

Unlock the Full Story of Crimes of Passion

Don't stop at just watching — explore Crimes of Passion in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Crimes of Passion is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Crimes of Passion Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Crimes of Passion, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Crimes of Passion Summary

Crimes of Passion Timeline

Track the full timeline of Crimes of Passion with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Crimes of Passion Timeline

Crimes of Passion Spoiler-Free Summary

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Crimes of Passion Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Crimes of Passion

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