Jade, released in theaters on October 13, 1995, follows San Francisco Assistant District Attorney David Corelli (David Caruso) as he investigates the brutal murder of a wealthy art dealer. The crime scene is filled with bizarre and disturbing evidence, but the most intriguing clue is a photograph of a mysterious woman known only as “Jade.”
As Corelli delves deeper into the case, he discovers a web of high-stakes blackmail, illicit affairs, and political corruption.
His investigation leads him to an unexpected and dangerous place with his close friend, high-profile attorney Matt Gavin (Chazz Palminteri), whose wife Katrina Gavin (Linda Fiorentino), a clinical psychologist and former lover of Corelli’s, becomes a prime suspect.
The film leans into its genre, with a stylish, dark visual aesthetic and a complex, twisting narrative. Corelli’s obsession with identifying “Jade” puts him at odds with the police, including Detective Bob Hargrove (Michael Biehn), and leads him down a path that blurs the line between his professional duties and personal life.
The cast also includes notable performances from Richard Crenna as the governor of California and Holt McCallany as the governor’s aide Bill Barrett.
Donna Murphy, Angie Everhart, Kevin Tighe, and Ken King, who each play a part in the complex puzzle Corelli must solve. The suspense builds as Corelli races to uncover the identity of “Jade” and confront the truth before more lives are lost.
William Friedkin (The French Connection, The Exorcist) directed the film.
Joe Eszterhas, known for such hits as Flashdance, Jagged Edge and Basic Instinct, wrote the screenplay.
Linda Fiorentino and Chazz Palminteri in Jade (Photo/Paramount Pictures)
Reception for Jade
Jade grossed $4.3 million on its opening weekend, finishing No. 5 at the box office.
The film would gross $9.9 million in its theatrical run.
Roger Ebert gave the film two out of four stars in his review.
Legacy
While Jade was not a commercial or critical success upon its release, it has since become a distinctive, if not controversial, entry in the 1990s erotic thriller subgenre.
The film’s legacy is often tied to Caruso’s high-profile departure from NYPD Blue to lead the project. Despite this, its unique visual style and Friedkin’s signature pacing have earned it a spot as a cult classic for fans of the genre.
It stands as a time capsule of 90s cinema, showcasing a cast of talented actors in a gritty, high-stakes mystery that is both stylish and suspenseful.
