“Body of Evidence” Limp

Willem Dafoe, the incredibly modern actor from The Last Temptation of Christ, was tempted by unknown forces – perhaps the promise of co-star Madonna and candle wax – to headline the embarrassingly bad Basic Instinct knockoff Body of Evidence (D). Director Uli Edel orchestrates sex scenes and courtroom scenes with equal incompetence. Ann Archer’s poor performance is the only thing that makes Madonna’s acting appear competent. The plot about a woman accused of killing a wealthy lover during an especially naughty encounter is almost incidental; it was all S&M — shallow and meaningless.