The Postman Always Rings Twice (1981)

Jack Nicholson and Jessica Lange star in this disappointing remake from James M. Cain's classic, hard-boiled novel. The imposing level of talent both in front of and behind the camera make it all the more disappointing (directed by Bob Rafelson, written by David Mamet, photographed by Sven Nykvist). It certainly captures the seedy, crime novel atmosphere with an animalistic passion unlike any other film I've ever seen, but despite it all, it just isn't very compelling. See the original John Garfield/Lana Turner version instead, or better yet, the unoffical early Luchino Visconti version, Ossessione.