Consenting Adults (1992)

Synopsis
Consenting Adults, a psychological thriller involving manipulation and deception, is an average thriller, short on plot development, but helped by a good cast and some potentially interesting plot twists. Composer Richard Parker (Kevin Kline) and his wife Priscilla (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) live an ordinary suburban life until they meet their new neighbors Eddy (Kevin Spacey) and Kay (Rebecca Miller). The two couples become friends until some mate-swapping is suggested by the men. The plot takes a nasty turn, however, when Richard sleeps with Kay -- who turns up, the next morning, bludgeoned to death with a baseball bat. Soon, Richard is charged with the crime and must prove his innocence. The film fails primarily because of the unbelievably stupid mistakes that Richard makes which destroy the film's credibility and the overly languid direction by Alan J. Pakula which destroys what suspense has been created. Kline is not particularly convincing in his role of the man unjustly accused, and the usually excellent Spacey is totally wasted in an unbelievable but showy role. Consenting Adults is a formula thriller which could have benefited from more energetic pacing and a better script. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide