If you enjoy film noir, put Cat City on your must-see list. This involving crime thriller directed by Brent Huff boasts all your favorite elements – sex, violence and money – as well as the dark, somber tone and pessimistic mood these movies require. Adding to the film’s quality are fine performances by Rebecca Pidgeon, Julian Sands, Brian Dennehy, Alano Massi and Shawn Huff, who bring their characters to life with an intensity that holds our interest throughout.   

When Victoria Compton (Pidgeon) discovers her husband Nick (Sands) is having an affair, she’s upset, of course. But the unexpected appearance of Jonas (Massi), a mysterious stranger, makes her suspicious of additional shenanigans. She can’t help thinking there’s much more going on here than infidelity. She’s right, for Jonas wants the money Nick and his mistress (Shawn Huff) insist they lost in an unfortunate real estate deal, and he will do whatever is needed to get the money back.

Does that include murder? If so, what’s Victoria to do? Maybe a crafty retired detective (Dennehy) can help her sort everything out. But can she trust him? After all, this is film noir, where betrayal goes with the territory.

Although these characters come across as less than admirable, they’re fascinating to watch.

Written by Brent Huff (Power Play), William Shockley (Welcome to Paradise), Douglas L. Walton (Face of Terror), and Patrick Stack (Hiding in Walls), Cat City contains crisp dialogue and suspenseful situations. It’s a clever little film that keeps us guessing while offering some interesting surprises.

See, Mr. Gittes, most people never learn to face the fact that at the right time and the right place, they are capable of anything. -- CHINATOWN (1974)

(Released by MTi Home Video and rated “R” for language.)