Color of Night

{{Infobox film

| name = Color of Night

| image = Color of Night poster.jpg

| alt =

| caption = Theatrical release poster

| director = Richard Rush

| producer = Buzz Feitshans
David Matalon
Andrew G. Vajna

| screenplay = Billy Ray
Matthew Chapman

| story = Billy Ray

| starring = {{Plainlist|

}}

| music = Dominic Frontiere

| cinematography = Dietrich Lohmann

| editing = Jack Hofstra
Thom Noble {{small|(uncredited)}}

| studio = Hollywood Pictures
Cinergi Pictures

| distributor = Buena Vista Pictures Distribution (North America/South America)
Cinergi Productions (International)

| released = {{Film date|1994|8|19}}

| runtime = 121 minutes
139 minutes {{small|(Director's cut)}}

| country = United States

| language = English

| budget = $40 million{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=colorofnight.htm|title=Color of Night (1994)|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=July 11, 2018}}

| gross = $46.7 million{{cite magazine|magazine=Variety|date=February 13, 1995|page=28|title=Worldwide rentals beat domestic take}}

}}

Color of Night is a 1994 American erotic mystery thriller film produced by Cinergi Pictures and released in the United States by Buena Vista Pictures (through its Hollywood Pictures label). The film was directed by Richard Rush, was jointly written by Billy Ray and Matthew Chapman and stars Bruce Willis opposite Jane March.

The cast also features Rubén Blades, Lesley Ann Warren, Brad Dourif, Lance Henriksen, Kevin J. O'Connor and Scott Bakula. It is one of two well-known works by director Rush, the other being The Stunt Man 14 years before.

Color of Night was considered a box office bomb upon release and won the Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Picture at the 15th Golden Raspberry Awards, where it received a leading nine nominations. It later, however, became one of the 20 most-rented films in the United States home video market in 1995.Billboard vol 108 #1 p.54. Maxim magazine also singled the film out as having the best sex scene in film history.{{cite web|url=http://telepixtvcgi.warnerbros.com/reframe.html?http://telepixtvcgi.warnerbros.com/dailynews/pop/12_00/12_06a.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120628224513/http://telepixtvcgi.warnerbros.com/reframe.html?http://telepixtvcgi.warnerbros.com/dailynews/pop/12_00/12_06a.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 28, 2012|title=Top Sex Scenes of All-Time|date=December 6, 2000|access-date=July 9, 2009 |publisher=Extra (U.S. TV program)}} It is noted for its style, akin to the Italian giallo genre, and has gone on to achieve cult status.{{cite web |last=Vasquez|first=Zach|date=April 10, 2023 |title=The Beautifully Bonkers Pleasures of Color of Night |website=Crooked Marquee |url=https://crookedmarquee.com/the-beautifully-bonkers-pleasures-of-richard-rushs-color-of-night/}}

In 2018, Kino Lorber (under license from Disney) released a special edition Blu-ray of the film; it contains an audio commentary by director Richard Rush.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kinolorber.com/product/color-of-night-1994-2-disc-special-edition-blu-ray|title=Color of Night (1994) (2-Disc Special Edition)|via=www.kinolorber.com|access-date=September 24, 2020|archive-date=September 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928174454/https://kinolorber.com/product/color-of-night-1994-2-disc-special-edition-blu-ray|url-status=dead}} In 2023, the film was streamed on the Criterion Channel.{{cite web | url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CrhD87Lg6Jt/ | title=Criterion Collection on Instagram: "Evening viewing recommendation? Watch the deliriously over-the-top psychosexual sizzler COLOR OF NIGHT (1994) in our Erotic Thrillers collection on the Criterion Channel!" }}

Plot

Dr. Bill Capa, a New York psychologist, falls into a deep depression after Michelle, an unstable patient, commits suicide in front of him by jumping from his office window. The sight of the bloody body clad in a bright green dress causes Bill to suffer from psychosomatic color blindness, taking away his ability to see the color red. Bill travels to Los Angeles to stay with a friend, fellow therapist Dr. Bob Moore, who invites him to sit in on a group therapy session. However, Bob is violently murdered in the office and Bill is plunged into the mystery of his friend's death.

Lt. Hector Martinez considers everyone in Bob's therapy group, including Bill, as suspects in the murder. Bill continues to live in Bob's house and begins an affair with Rose, a beautiful but mysterious young woman who comes and goes. Bill takes over the therapy group, which includes: Clark, a temperamental individual with OCD; Sondra, a nymphomaniac and kleptomaniac; Buck, a suicidal former police officer; Casey, who paints sado-masochistic images; and Richie, a 16-year old with gender dysphoria and a history of drug use.

After Casey is murdered, Bill becomes the target of several attempts on his life. He discovers that all but one of his patients have been romantically involved with Rose. He eventually learns that "Richie" is really Rose, and the murders were the work of her deranged brother, Dale. They once had an actual brother named Richie, who hanged himself after being molested by his child psychiatrist Dr. Niedelmeyer, who also abused Dale.

After Richie committed suicide, Dale abused Rose into playing the part of their brother. Rose began to re-emerge during therapy and, under another personality named "Bonnie", started relationships with the other patients. Dale proceeded to kill them, fearing that they would soon link Rose to Richie.

Dale kidnaps Rose, and tries to kill Capa and Martinez with a nail gun when they arrive to rescue her. At the last moment, however, Rose frees herself and kills Dale. Deeply traumatized, she tries to commit suicide, but Capa convinces her to keep living. As they kiss, Capa regains the ability to see the color red.

Cast

{{castlist|

Bruce Willis as Dr. Bill Capa
Jane March as Rose / Bonnie / Richie
Ruben Blades as Detective Hector Martinez
Lesley Ann Warren as Sondra Dorio
Scott Bakula as Dr. Bob Moore
Brad Dourif as Clark
Lance Henriksen as Buck
Kevin J. O'Connor as Casey Heinz
Andrew Lowery as Dale Dexter
Eriq La Salle as Anderson
Jeff Corey as Dr. Larry Ashland
Kathleen Wilhoite as Michelle
Shirley Knight as Edith Niedelmeyer

}}

Music

=Soundtrack=

The soundtrack to Color of Night as composed by Dominic Frontiere, with songs from Lauren Christy, Jud Friedman, Brian McKnight, and Lowen & Navarro was released on August 9, 1994, by Mercury Records.{{Cite web|title=Dominic Frontiere - Color Of Night (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)|url=https://www.discogs.com/Dominic-Frontiere-Color-Of-Night-Original-Motion-Picture-Soundtrack/release/2394674|website=Discogs|year=1994 |language=en|access-date=May 7, 2020}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Color of Night - From the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

| extra_column = Performers

| total_length = 34:11

| all_writing =

| all_lyrics =

| all_music =

| writing_credits =

| lyrics_credits =

| music_credits =

| title1 = Love Theme

| note1 =

| writer1 =

| lyrics1 =

| music1 =

| extra1 = Dominic Frontiere

| length1 = 4:44

| title2 = Color Blind

| note2 =

| writer2 =

| lyrics2 =

| music2 =

| extra2 = Dominic Frontiere

| length2 = 2:10

| title3 = Sessions

| note3 =

| writer3 =

| lyrics3 =

| music3 =

| extra3 = Dominic Frontiere

| length3 = 5:22

| title4 = Rain

| note4 =

| writer4 =

| lyrics4 =

| music4 =

| extra4 = Lauren Christy

| length4 = 5:27

| title5 = The Color Of The Night

| note5 =

| writer5 =

| lyrics5 =

| music5 =

| extra5 = Jud Friedman, Lauren Christy, Dominic Frontiere (cantonese: Karen Tong)

| length5 = 3:55

| title6 = The Color Of The Night [Instrumental version]

| note6 =

| writer6 =

| lyrics6 =

| music6 =

| extra6 = Brian McKnight

| length6 = 2:59

| title7 = Rose's Theme

| note7 =

| writer7 =

| lyrics7 =

| music7 =

| extra7 = Dominic Frontiere

| length7 = 3:33

| title8 = Etude For Murder

| note8 =

| writer8 =

| lyrics8 =

| music8 =

| extra8 = Dominic Frontiere

| length8 = 3:33

| title9 = The Photograph

| note9 =

| writer9 =

| lyrics9 =

| music9 =

| extra9 = Dominic Frontiere

| length9 = 2:23

| title10 = Just To See You

| note10 =

| writer10 =

| lyrics10 =

| music10 =

| extra10 = Lowen & Navarro

| length10 = 3:55

}}

Release

=Theatrical=

Richard Rush turned his cut of the film over to producer Andrew Vajna in late 1993. Vajna was concerned about the film's commercial prospects and demanded a recut, something Rush refused. Nonetheless, Vajna mandated he had final cut per contractual obligation, and insisted on testing his own version of the film. After both versions were given a number of test screenings, Vajna determined that his cut would be released and fired Rush in April 1994.

This ultimately escalated into a battle between Rush and Vajna that received coverage in the Los Angeles trades. Rush commented that his version tested higher than Vajna's cut; his statements were defended in Variety and by film critic Bill Arnold, who attended a test screening of Rush's version in Seattle, Washington. The Los Angeles Times, meanwhile, defended Vajna, stating that Rush stubbornly refused any input from the studio. The Directors Guild of America attempted to intervene on the matter.

The battle ultimately ended when Rush suffered a near-fatal heart attack and became hospitalized. Months later, after Rush recovered, he compromised with Vajna that the producer's cut would be released theatrically and that the director's cut would see a video release.{{cite news| url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-04-23-ca-49372-story.html | work=Los Angeles Times | first=Claudia | last=Eller | title=Who's Got the Right to 'Color' Final Cut? : Director Richard Rush and Producers Battle Over Fate of Bruce Willis Thriller | date=April 23, 1994}}{{cite news| url=https://variety.com/1994/film/news/color-of-night-stuck-in-dga-arbitration-120479/ | work=Variety | first=Leonard | last=Klady | title='Color of Night' stuck in DGA arbitration | date=April 25, 1994}}{{cite news|last1=Arnold|first1=William|title=Director's cut changes meaning of 'Color of Night'|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1350&dat=19950209&id=v11IAAAAIBAJ&pg=6109,2296989|access-date=July 11, 2017|work=Toledo Blade|date=February 9, 1995}}

Eventually, four versions were released:{{Cite web|url=https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=82693|title=Color of Night (Comparison: International Theatrical Version - Unrated Director's Cut) - Movie-Censorship.com|website=www.movie-censorship.com}}

The R-Rated theatrical release from the USA
The international theatrical release
The R-Rated Director's Cut
The Unrated Director's Cut

(Among them, international theatrical release version also contains numerous scenes that are not included in the Unrated Director's Cut.)

Reception

=Box office=

The film opened at number 4 at the US box office, grossing $6,610,488 its opening weekend playing at a total of 1,740 theaters.{{cite news | date = August 23, 1994 | first = David J.|last=Fox | title = Weekend Box Office : 'Forrest Gump' in Top Spot--Again | newspaper =Los Angeles Times | url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-08-23-ca-30121-story.html | access-date = January 11, 2011 }} The film grossed only $19,750,470 in the United States and Canada{{cite web|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movies/1994/0CONI.php |title=Color of Night - Box Office Data, DVD Sales, Movie News, Cast Information |publisher=The Numbers |access-date=December 20, 2012}} but grossed $27 million internationally for a worldwide total of $46.7 million compared to its $40 million production budget.

=Critical response=

Rotten Tomatoes retrospectively reported that 22% of 51 critics gave the film a positive review, with an average rating of 4.4/10. The site's critics consensus reads, "Bruce willie shot aside, the only other things popping out in Color of Night are some ridiculous plot contortions and majorly camp moments."{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/color_of_night |title=Color of Night (1994) |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=March 22, 2022}} Metacritic assigned the film a weighted average score of 36 out of 100, based on 28 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable" reviews.{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/color-of-night?ftag=MCD-06-10aaa1c|title=Color of Night|website=Metacritic}} Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "C" on an A+ to F scale.{{cite web |url=https://m.cinemascore.com |title=CinemaScore |work=cinemascore.com}}

Referring to the film as "memorably bizarre," Janet Maslin in her August 19, 1994 The New York Times review wrote: "The enthusiastically nutty Color of Night has the single-mindedness of a bad dream and about as much reliance on everyday logic." She also cited the revelation of the murderer, "whose disguise won't fool anyone, anywhere."{{cite news|last=Maslin |first=Janet |authorlink=Janet Maslin|url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9C05E1DB1639F93AA2575BC0A962958260 |title=Movie Review - Color of Night - FILM REVIEW; Of Murder, Psychology and Fruitcakes|newspaper=The New York Times|date=August 19, 1994 |access-date=December 4, 2013}}

Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times wrote: "I was, frankly, stupefied. To call it absurd would be missing the point, since any shred of credibility was obviously the first thing thrown overboard. It's so lurid in its melodrama and so goofy in its plotting that with just a bit more trouble, it could have been a comedy."{{cite web|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/color-of-night-1994 |title=Color Of Night (1994)|first=Roger|last=Ebert|authorlink=Roger Ebert|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times|date=August 19, 1994|via=RogerEbert.com|access-date=December 4, 2013}}

Luke Y. Thompson of The New Times praised March's performance and wrote: "Minority opinion here, I know, but I found the sex scenes hot and March's performance truly impressive."{{Cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/color_of_night/reviews?type=&sort=&page=2 |title=Color of Night - Movie Reviews |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=November 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191110020141/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/color_of_night/reviews?type=&sort=&page=2 |archive-date=November 10, 2019 |url-status=live }}

Brian McKay of eFilmCritic.com stated the film was a "Mediocre L.A. noir thriller made more tolerable by Jane March disrobing frequently."

Ken Hanke of the Mountain Xpress (Asheville, North Carolina) wrote the film was "Underrated, but far from great."

The film is listed as one of the 100 most enjoyably bad movies ever made in Golden Raspberry Award founder John J. B. Wilson's book The Official Razzie Movie Guide (2005).{{cite book|last=Wilson|first=John J.B.|authorlink=John J.B. Wilson|title=The Official Razzie Movie Guide: Enjoying the Best of Hollywood's Worst |year=2005|publisher=Grand Central Publishing|location=New York City|isbn=0-446-69334-0}}

=Accolades=

At the 15th Golden Raspberry Awards, Color of Night received a leading nine nominations and won a single award, the Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Picture. To date it is the only Worst Picture winner to fail to win in any other category. The other categories it was nominated in were Worst Director, Worst Actor (Bruce Willis), Worst Actress (Jane March), Worst Supporting Actor (also for March), Worst Supporting Actress (Lesley Ann Warren), Worst Screenplay, Worst Screen Couple/Combo ("Any combination of two people from the entire cast of Color of Night") and Worst Original Song ("The Color of the Night").

At the 1994 Stinkers Bad Movie Awards, Bruce Willis won the award for Worst Actor (also for North) while Jane March received a nomination for Worst Actress.

Color of Night received a Golden Globe nomination in the category Best Original Song — Motion Picture for its theme song "The Color of the Night", performed by Lauren Christy.{{Cite web|url=https://www.goldenglobes.com/film/color-night|title=Color of Night|website=www.goldenglobes.com}}

Maxim magazine also awarded Color of Night for having the Best Sex Scene in film history; Rush was especially proud of the award, and he kept it in his bathroom.{{Cite web |url=http://wearecult.rocks/interview-director-richard-rush |title=Interview: Director Richard Rush » We Are Cult |date=September 30, 2017 |access-date=March 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328084710/http://wearecult.rocks/interview-director-richard-rush |archive-date=March 28, 2019 |url-status=live }}

=Year-end lists=

3rd worst – Desson Howe, The Washington Post{{citation|last=Howe|first=Desson|date=December 30, 1994|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1994/12/30/the-envelope-please-reel-winners-and-losers-of-1994/3cf88a79-b416-4c9a-8ff1-8e9c9a91df37/|title=The Envelope Please: Reel Winners and Losers of 1994|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=July 19, 2020}}
3rd worst – Dan Craft, The Pantagraph{{cite news|last=Craft|first=Dan|date=December 30, 1994 |title=Success, Failure and a Lot of In-between; Movies '94|newspaper=The Pantagraph|page=B1}}
Worst (not ranked) – Bob Ross, The Tampa Tribune{{cite news|last=Ross|first=Bob|date=December 30, 1994|title=Versed in the worst|newspaper=The Tampa Tribune|page=18|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune/126948976|edition=Final}}
#4 Worst - Michael Medved, Sneak Previews{{cite episode|host1=Lyons, Jeffrey (host)|host2=Medved, Michael (host)|title=Best & Worst of 1994|series=Sneak Previews|air-date=January 6, 1995|season=20|network=WTTW|access-date=February 20, 2024|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jO4SqV43_O4}}