Al Pacino plays Frank Keller, a lonely, divorced, alcoholic New York cop on the verge of retirement. Along with his new partner Sherman (John Goodman) he begins to investigate a serial killer who appears to track down victims through a newspaper lonely hearts columns. The pair identify blond bombshell Helen Cruger (Ellen Barkin) as one of their primary suspects, but unfortunately Keller begins to fall in lust and love with his super-sexy suspect. Richard Price's script doesn't deliver many twists nor surprises and it's left to the powerful characterisation of Keller by Al Pacino to carry the film. Pacino is angry and defiant, a nice guy consumed by anger over the breakdown of his marriage and falling into a alcohol-fuelled middle-aged stupor. Ellen Barkin makes an incredible foil for Pacino and it says much for his own ability that she is able to match Pacino in power and sheer on-screen magnetism. The chemistry between the pair is undeniable and their love scenes are hit and fiery with more than a dangerous edge. John Goodman is fine in a supporting role that doesn't give him much to do and it's interesting to see a young Samuel L. Jackson popping up in a bit part. Harold Becker's direction is appropriately subdued but along with cinematography Ronnie Taylor he paints a noirish and dreary Manhattan hiding behind a gaudy veneer of sad neon. Trevor Jones' downbeat score and successive spins of The Twilights disc Sea of Love adds to the melancholy. Overall then "Sea of Love" is an atmospheric mystery thriller with two powerhouse performances from Pacino and Barkin that give the standard plot a painful edge of psychological isolation and a seething barely subdued anger. ( )