Black Rainbow (1989)

55% of users liked it
(253 ratings)

British director Mike Hodges brought an extra measure of integrity to this made-for-TV thriller. Rosanna Arquette stars as Martha Travis, a psychic who travels the rural American South with her alcoholic father, Walter (Jason Robards), plying her mystical trade for credulous yokels. In reality,… More British director Mike Hodges brought an extra measure of integrity to this made-for-TV thriller. Rosanna Arquette stars as Martha Travis, a psychic who travels the rural American South with her alcoholic father, Walter (Jason Robards), plying her mystical trade for credulous yokels. In reality, Martha is a con woman whose only gift is the ability to defraud those who seek messages from dead loved ones. However, one night the bogus medium intercepts mental images of a murdered man whose wife is in the audience -- and indignantly proclaims that her husband is still very much alive. Within hours, however, Martha's vision becomes reality. Martha has suddenly developed the ability to see murders before they happen, but her newfound ability to prognosticate puts a professional contract killer on her trail. In the meantime, Martha becomes lovers with Gary Wallace (Tom Hulce), a small-town reporter who's intrigued enough by Martha to write a story about her, although he's skeptical about her supernatural talents. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 43 min.
Directed By: Mike Hodges
Written By: Mike Hodges
Genres: Drama, Horror, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Jan 1, 2000 Wide
On DVD: Jan 11, 2005
Studio: Media Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
A great picture? No, but an intriguing one.
Anton Bitel, Movie Gazette
An effectively eerie supernatural thriller - even if it tries to exorcise a few too many ghosts for its own good.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The result is a stimulating film addressed to the intellect ...

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Cast

            Rosanna Arquette as Martha Travis

            Jason Robards as Walter Travis

            Tom Hulce as Gary Wallace

            Mark Joy as Lloyd Harley

            Ron Rosenthal as Irving Weinberg

            John Bennes as Ted Silas

            Linda Pierce as Mary Kuron

            Olek Krupa as Tom Kuron

            Marty Terry as Mrs. Adams

            Helen Baldwin as Eva Callow

            Georgia Allen as Mrs. Jamais

            Ed Grady as Editor Geoff McBain

            Ivan Green as Preacher

            Mert Hatfield as Mike Braddon

            Joe Inscoe as Airline Clerk No. 2

            Wallace Merck as Officer Monroe

            Jerry Rushing as Bud Orwell

            Rick Warner as Editor Jay Chatwin

            Joyce Bowden as Nurse Shelly

            Janelle Cochrane as Airline Clerk

            Judy Simpson Cook as Rachel Sachs

            Dan Cox as Terminal Hotel Clerk

            Dandy Stevenson as Mrs. Koostler

            Willie Stratford as Railroad Steward

            Jon Thompson as Jack Callow

            Jeffrey Taylor as Mike Harley

            James Martin Jr. as Hotel Night Clerk

            Ed Lillard as Pastor on Train

            Muse Watson as Police Officer

            William Brown as Hal Faber

            Mary Tyler Moore as Audience

            Ed L. Grady
            
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