China Moon (1994)

Detective Kyle Bodine falls for Rachel Munro who is trapped in a violent marriage. After shooting her husband, Kyle reluctantly agrees to help hide the body, but Kyle's partner is showing an unusual flair for finding clues.

Director:

John Bailey

Writer:

Roy Carlson

Stars:

Ed Harris, Madeleine Stowe, Charles Dance

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ed Harris	...	Kyle Bodine
Madeleine Stowe	...	Rachel Munro
Charles Dance	...	Rupert Munro
Patricia Healy	...	Adele
Benicio Del Toro	...	Lamar Dickey
Tim Powell	...	Fraker
Pruitt Taylor Vince	...	Daryl Jeeters
Larry Shuler	...	Patrolman at Turner's
Robb Edward Morris	...	Officer Pinola
Paul Darby	...	CSU Photographer
Theresa Bean	...	Felicity Turner
Allen Prince	...	Assistant M.E.
Sam Myers	...	Blues Band
Anson Funderburgh	...	Blues Band
Matt McCabe	...	Blues Band

Storyline

Detective Kyle Bodine falls for Rachel Munro who is trapped in a violent marriage. After shooting her husband, Kyle reluctantly agrees to help hide the body, but Kyle's partner is showing an unusual flair for finding clues.

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Plot Keywords:

sex scene | autopsy | coroner | driving | hotel lobby | 

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Taglines:

He thought it was passion. It was deceit. He thought it was love. It was murder.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Romance | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sensuality, language and violence

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 March 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Luna de porcelana

Filming Locations:

Bartow, Florida, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,183,843, 6 March 1994

Gross USA:

$3,038,499

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$3,038,499

Company Credits

Production Co:

Tig Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film's title is explained in this extract from Film Noir of the Week review as follows: "One particularly memorable setting is the lushly romantic setting of a lake. The reflection of the "china moon"--Bodine tells Rachel that his mother used the term for a full moon, under which people would "do strange things," he states--is captured against the smooth, seemingly tranquil surface of the body of water in delicately composed shots".

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Goofs

When Rachel (Madeline Stowe) shoots her husband (Charles Dance), an earplug is clearly visible.

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Angie/China Moon/Greedy/Sirens/The Chase (1994)

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Soundtracks

Rack 'Em Up
Written by Sam Myers & Anson Funderburgh
Used by permission of Black Top Publishing
Performed by Anson Funderburgh & The Rockets Featuring Sam Myers
Courtesy of Black Top Records

User Reviews

A good way to spend two hours

China Moon was unexpectedly good. Whodunits usually aren't my favorites, but this one held my interest. The story has enough going for it to make for a solid mystery. Even though you know who killed whom, you're left second-guessing yourself as to motives and alliances until the very end.

There are enough twists and turns to keep you off-balance, but without the story confusion that often accompanies that kind of plot complexity. A surprise final scene provides a satisfying closure. The murder and resulting forensics are on the bloody side, but it's not out of place in the story line. Harris and Stowe turn in believable performances, making for an overall rating of 7 out of 10 stars.