Compromising Positions, a sharp, satirical mystery with a dark comedic edge, is a quintessential 1980s thriller that feels more like a character study than a typical whodunit. The film centers on Judith Singer (Susan Sarandon), a suburban housewife whose life of mundane domesticity is upended when her promiscuous and wildly unpopular dentist, Dr. Fleckstein (Joe Mantegna), is murdered.
Unfulfilled in her own life and with a natural curiosity, Judith decides to launch her own investigation into the death, putting her directly in the path of Detective David Suarez (Raúl Juliá), a charming and handsome investigator.
As Judith pokes around her wealthy Long Island neighborhood, she discovers that nearly everyone had a reason to despise the deceased dentist, who had been documenting the affairs and secrets of his high-profile patients.
The film features a fantastic ensemble cast that brings the array of suspects to life, including Edward Herrmann as Judith’s preoccupied husband, Mary Beth Hurt as her neurotic best friend, and Judith Ivey as a flamboyant, high-strung neighbor.
Deborah Rush, Anne DeSalvo, Josh Mostel, Jason Beghe and Joan Allen round out the cast.
The plot is a series of witty conversations and tense encounters as Judith and Detective Suarez uncover the truth, all while navigating their own burgeoning romantic and intellectual chemistry. The clever dialogue and intricate plotting make the journey to the solution just as compelling as the final reveal.
Raul Julia and Susan Sarandon in Compromising Positions (Photo/Paramount Pictures)
Reception for Compromising Positions
Compromising Positions grossed $3 million on its opening weekend, finishing sixth at the box office.
The film would gross $12.5 million in its theatrical run.
Roger Ebert gave the film two out of four stars in his review.
Legacy
Released in theaters on August 31, 1985, Compromising Positions was praised for its clever script and the fantastic performances of its lead actors, especially Sarandon and Juliá, whose dynamic pairing is a highlight.
Its legacy lies in its ability to subvert genre conventions, offering a mystery that prioritizes character over explosions. The film deftly uses the murder plot as a vehicle to explore the hidden anxieties, infidelities, and quiet desperation simmering beneath the placid surface of affluent suburbia and it has endured as a smart, well-acted, and genuinely funny thriller that serves as a testament to the power of a strong cast and a sharp screenplay.
