Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this film is premised on a grisly, real-life 1947 murder that remains unsolved and is still the subject of both Internet discussion and TV investigation/forensics shows. The film features frequent images of bloody, shot, and sliced-up bodies. A presumably insane character rants in a disturbing way before committing suicide violently. The film also includes other explicit scenes of violence (a riot, shootings, a throat being sliced, a face being cut while held in a vise). Characters (especially women) appear in various states of undress; the detectives watch a porn film made by the murder victim that features lesbian activity. A nightclub scene features showgirls dancing provocatively and kissing each other on stage. A couple of sex scenes suggest "passion" by having characters rip each other's clothes off. Characters use foul language (especially "f--k"), smoke a lot of cigarettes, and drink.

Sexual Content

Partial nudity in a "stag film," in which two women use a dildo and wrist restraints; women in underwear; lesbian nightclub scene shows women kissing and writhing in a dance number; lyrics refer to "Love for Sale" sex scenes and post-coital scenes (rip off blouse, passionate kissing, movement under covers, naked chests visible).

Violence

Severed-in-half corpse is visible several times (including references to her face cut ear-to-ear); bloody boxing scenes; opening riot scene (punching and fighting); shootings (blood visible and violent imagery); throat cut; fall from balcony; at a crime scene, a dead child with bullet hole in head; description of shooting a pet dog (now stuffed); bloody bat (reference to beating); suicide by shot to the head (explicit); blood spreads under head of murdered man.

Language

Repeated use of "f--k" (over 15); other language (c-word, "hell," "damn," "ass," etc.).

Social Behavior

Detectives become obsessed with the murder of a young starlet; plot concerns corruption, grisly murder, insanity.

Consumerism

Not applicable.

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

Frequent smoking by protagonists; some drinking in social situations (dinner); cop takes Benzedrine and becomes unhinged.