Pacific Heights
They wanted a tenant in the worst way. And that's what they got.
Patty and Drake want their downstairs tenant to pay the rent. He won't. They want him to leave. He won't. And the tenant, a sociopathic scam artist, has made sure he has the law on his side.
"Check All References" may be a landlord credo, and in the case of this jolting cat-and-mouse thriller, the references are impeccable. Melanie Griffith and Matthew Modine play the over-mortgaged couple whose hope of keeping their renovated Victorian dream home depends on leasing the downstairs. Michael Keaton is Carter Hayes, a frighteningly dangerous nightmare who's out to claim the house for himself. And John Schlesinger (Midnight Cowboy) directs, lifting Pacific Heights to unsettling heights of palpable suspense.
Member Reviews
Creepy but unlikeable - MsFan24
It is hard to enjoy a film that you simply do not like. This film is unlikeable, as is Keaton in this film. It's about a nice couple who don't deserve bad stuff to happen to them, yet Keaton decides otherwise. He tries to ruin them financially, then romantically, then physically. It is disturbing and dispiriting. It makes me think that there are actually people like this prick out there and that is not the kind of thing I need to be reminded of by a movie I paid money to see to escape the real world. People that make films like this ought to pay us to sit through them and feel uncomfortable.Doesn't reach any "Heights" for thrills. - JasonTHX
This movie is a shiny, glossy 1990 wanna be shocker of the old "____ from Hell" we were getting a lot in the early 90's. Some were better than others, some were preposterous. Pacifc Heights falls into the latter. Melanie Griffith and Matt Modine are cute as a San Francisco couple who buy a mini palace in the Cisco' hills. They "rent" an apartment to Michael Keaton who basically becomes a tenant from you know where, but my only question was - well why is he? The muddled screenplay never makes this clear. Keaton's Carter Hayes acts like a Don Johnson version of Norman Bates. Only thing he's not scary. He's rediculous. In one scene he's a suave, in another he's a creepo, in another he's a playboy. He's playing three different variations of the same person but none of them make sense. Nether does the movie. Hard to believe this was directed by John Schlesinger the man who made the incredible Midnight Cowboy.
One major cool thing to recommend here: The great melodic score by Hans Zimmer. It elevates the movie and makes the whole thing easier to give your suspension of disbelief to.Worst Case Scenario. - cathyottawa
Thinking of becoming a landlord? Maybe renting out a room in your house? Watch this movie first.
Melanie Griffith and Matthew Modine are a young couple who have just bought their dream home. They need tenants to help cover the mortgage. They rent to the tenant from hell - Micheal Keaton at his creepy best.
He knows landlord/tenant law inside out, and proceeds to make life hell for the couple. Can they find a way to outwit this clever psycho, before they lose their home?
This movie does a great job of building tension and suspense. You'll be on the edge of your seat by the end.
Melanie Griffith is particularily good here. A memorable performance.
Member Reviews
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Creepy but unlikeable - MsFan24
It is hard to enjoy a film that you simply do not like. This film is unlikeable, as is Keaton in this film. It's about a nice couple who don't deserve bad stuff to happen to them, yet Keaton decides otherwise. He tries to ruin them financially, then romantically, ...Doesn't reach any "Heights" for thrills. - JasonTHX
This movie is a shiny, glossy 1990 wanna be shocker of the old "____ from Hell" we were getting a lot in the early 90's. Some were better than others, some were preposterous. Pacifc Heights falls into the latter. Melanie Griffith and Matt Modine are cute as ...Worst Case Scenario. - cathyottawa
Thinking of becoming a landlord? Maybe renting out a room in your house? Watch this movie first.
Melanie Griffith and Matthew Modine are a young couple who have just bought their dream home. They need tenants to help cover the mortgage. They rent ...