Exposed (1983)

Exposed Poster

Wisconsin farm girl Elizabeth Carlson leaves family and her English teacher lover behind and escapes to New York. There she soon makes a career for herself as a fashion model. During a vernissage she's approached by a mysterious man whose motives are unclear...

Movie Background:
"Exposed" is a 1983 thriller-drama movie that was written, directed, and co-produced by James Toback. The movie has an excellent line-up of stars like Nastassja Kinski, Rudolf Nureyev, and Harvey Keitel. The film's distinct blend of arts, fashion, terrorism, and love makes it an unique cinematic experience.

Plot Summary:
Kinski stars as Elizabeth Carlson, a struggling farm girl from Wisconsin who aspires to become a classical show violinist while having an ordinary task as a waitress. Fate deviates when she moves to New York City and is found by the fashion photographer Rivas, played by Keitel, releasing an unlikely but effective career as a high-fashion model.

On The Other Hand, Daniel Jelline, played by Rudolf Nureyev - legendary ballet dancer - enters Elizabeth's life. He is a performance violinist and a mysterious yet advanced character with a dark past. He includes Elizabeth in his hidden plan to deliver a well-known terrorist named Rivas, taking advantage of her unwary innocence.

Professionally Personal:
While her relationship with Daniel deepens, the naively besotted Elizabeth does not acknowledge that her lover is using her as bait in a revenge plot. When Daniel tells Elizabeth about his intentions, she's currently immersed in the cruel plot, which oscillates in between extreme risk and unimaginable enjoyment.

The Thrilling Revelation:
In the climactic scene, Elizabeth is kidnapped by the terrorist Rivas, who ends up being her photographer. Daniel saves her in an explosive ending that results in the death of Rivas. This event exposes the dual lives of all the key characters, hence the title "Exposed". The story concludes with Elizabeth going back to her peaceful life in Wisconsin, scarred yet developed by her experiences in the glitzy, troubled world of high fashion and espionage.

Style and Genre:
Combining components of adventure, drama, romance, and spy components, "Exposed" relies on Kinski's effective performance as the innocent lady caught in a lethal web of love, glamour, deceit, and violence. The movie incorporates the contemporary fashion business's shine with the grittiness of underground terrorism plots, leading to a melodramatic, emotion-charged story replete with unanticipated twists.

Overall Evaluation:
On release, "Exposed" was consulted with blended to unfavorable reviews, with critics noting its messy plot and irregular tonal shifts. However, its special mix of fashion, love, and terrorism intrigue, backed by strong efficiencies from Kinski and Nureyev has drawn in a cult following given that. In spite of its narrative defects, "Exposed" is a remarkable cinematic example of integrating disparate worlds like high fashion glamour and grim terrorism.

Top Cast