Red Shoe Diaries

Plot synopsis:
Jake Winters (David Duchovny) is devastated at the funeral of his fiancée. An old lady, Martha (Brenda Vaccaro) tells him to speak with her when he feels like it. At that moment, he can't make head or tails of it. He comes back to his luxury home, where her voice is still recorded at the answering machine. Jake distractedly pets his dog, Stella (Blake the Dog), and plays with a basket ball, pushing some building blocks all over the place.When he starts putting things in bags, he finds his fiancée's red diary. He sits down to read it. He remembers her, smiling, full of life, dancing on her own all the time.Cut to Alex (Brigitte Bako) in her underwear, with a red shawl and a pair of boots, dancing with Stella all over the place. Cut to a kind of Mexican wedding party at an outdoors garden, where she and Jake make out among the flowers and the garden. Meanwhile, a Mexican-looking lady (Mattie Cline) is dancing in a traditional costume. She says she wants a secret, a mystery in her life, something which will be hers and hers alone.Both are successful professionals who want to redecorate their luxury flat. She doesn't like her job as much as him likes his, though.She had to have her eyes checked. She's got one of her eyes really irritated, so the optometrist (Jonathan Zeichner) has to give her a pirate's eye patch. She talks to a lady in a bus, so she can't see another driver who honks at her. She falls onto the arms of Thomas K. Butler (Billy Wirth). Attraction among them is apparent. They splash into the water springing from a punctured waterpipe.Cut to distraught Jake, who realises there's a blood stain on the floor. He tastes it in his mouth. When she comes back to the optician, he admires Thomas' body, saying that there's no competition between him and Jake. They take the same bus, him shining among the rest of working people. He enters onto a Lady's shoe outlet, while she buys a bouquet of flowers for him.It looks as though he's a shop assistant there as well. She enters the shop. He thinks he recognises her, but she denies it. He shows her a pair of 7 and a half sized red high-heeled shoes. They feel attracted to each other, that's clear, and they admit it's irrational. Two older ladies interrupt them. He also gives her his address.Meanwhile, Jake plays basketball on his own at his apartment. Jake remembers a particular time in which himself and her made love after she took a bath in the huge tub.Jake looks for the red shoes in desperation. Alex runs to Jake, and sees how he's having an argument at the construction site. Alex goes to Tom's address, which is a cheap room somewhere full of poor houses. Alex is wearing a business coat, her red shoes and a short lace nightgown. At first, they look shy with each other, and they talk about what happiness is, but then, they make love violently, and he tears her clothes with passion.Instead of designing the building map he's supposed to be designing, Jake keeps on reading and reading the diary, even though it hurts him.Alex has her hair cut, and then goes to Tom in a schoolgirl's short skirt to make love to him. Jake remembers once when he and Alex danced. He imagines her writing on her diary.Tom visits Alex on her work all dressed to the nines. They had not seen each other for two weeks, and she writes that she's worried about that. Her colleague Michelle (Rhonda Aldrich) will continue the silk sale. She wonders how he got to know where she worked, and she says that she doesn't even know his name. When he says it was Tom, at first she tries to protest. He talks about his life and the bad decisions he made. Tom leaves the place and joins a game of street basketball.Alex is playing frisbee with her dog, but even the dog looks scared of her. Alex's wild 17th birthday party with all her girlfriends (Anna Karin, Christina Caron...). She feels isolated from them anyway. Cut to another of Alex's birthdays. She is with Jake and bursts a piñata open. The present is not the candy she was anticipating: it is a ring. That day, Jake asks her to marry him. She doesn't seem to want to give an answer straight away, but he insists.They go to the ballet studio to Alex's mother, who's not impressed with him being an architect. Alex's father was a "cocksucker" and Martha asks him whether he's patient, a good lover. Alex freaks out.Jake puts Alex's wedding dress onto a suitcase.Tom gets a letter to the shoe shop and signs the receipt of the messenger (Kelsey) . Tom calls on Alex, who's been drinking. She says she had the flu and that she's getting married. Tom shouts at her that he won't leave her. She slaps him and pushes him away. She says that Jake disgusts her, but she'll marry him. She slaps him, and admits that she wants him; he wants to go on with their relationship. They make love passionately. Obviously, all this damages Jake's spirit some more.When Alex returns home, she looks drunk. The taxi driver (Harry Cohn) drops her on the street and two bike riders steal her jacket. Once at home, she plays with fire and a torch. She ends up crawling like a worm: she is desperate. She gets onto the bathtub and takes off her engagement ring. Dressed with a black negligée, she cuts herself.Stella accompanies Jake while he's almost kissing one of those red shoes. It's night, and his colleague Paul (Kai Wulff) is out on the street, honking at Jake in his apartment, telling him that their customers are asking questions; that what happened to him was horrible, but that he must go on.Jake, and Stella on tow, call on Tom while at work. Tom says that his name is Michael. He asks for some red shoes as a present to a lady. They go to a bar, where they make a bet on the basketball game. Ingrid (Leana Hall), Jake's new girlfriend appear with Heidi 1 and Heidi 2. The girls watch Jake and Tom play a game of basketball at Tom's apartment. Tom loses, but he's a hit with the ladies. The match stops and Jake is getting more and more pissed off. The match gets hectic, while the girls cheer. Jake breaks Tom's nose.They go on with the game. They are shirtless and hold a conversation while playing. The situation gets very intense. The girls try to stop them, but they have a fist fight. Jake is so frustrated..! Finally, Marlene (Bridgit Ryan) hugs him.Tom could have made out with one of the Heidis.Jake blames Tom for everything in front of Marlene.They hug, while Tom and Heidi go somewhere private. Marlene realises how deep Jake is in shit. All the girls leave the apartment, but the other Heidi doesn't want to leave without her friend. The two Heidis appear, pushing each other: the second Heidi didn't want to leave.Tom and Jake are alone, one on one. The latter throws the red shoes to Tom's feet. He recognises them and realises who Jake is. They fight. "Where is she?", asks Tom - she doesn't know she committed suicide. Jake tells him what happened bluntly.When Jake pulled her out from the tub, it was too late. He hugs to her on the bathroom floor.Tom and Jake get release of each other. Tom punches Jake, who is left on the floor while Stella licks his head.Tom walks by, smoking, in the misty dark night. A train passes by.Jake takes Alex's suitcases of stuff to Martha's home. She's been drinking, and can't refrain herself from crying. Jake tries to offer some consolation, saying that it was not Martha's fault. He remembers again himself and Alex, playing in the garden with Stella.Jake is having coffee at a diner, and while the waitress (Suzanne Lanza) gives him his change, he finishes the red diary. Stella waited outside.Jake goes to a public phone and calls the newspaper to put an ad on the contacts page: he will pay for the stories the ladies want to send him.He plays with a red ball with Stella.---written by KrystelClaire

Tags: cult, romantic

Review:
Underrated, emotionally powerful film from Zalman King.
My friend Chris rented this movie expecting something along the lines of the terribly formulatic romantic/erotic ShowTime series from Zalman King.
I was very surprised with this movie.
A pre-X-Flies David Duchovony stars as a man still mourning over the death of his beautiful fiancee (Brigit Bako, of Strange Days).
He then finds her diary which reveals a steamy relationship between her and a shoe salesman (Billy Wirth).
The story is well-written and -acted, except for the stiff Duchovony.This movie deserves a wider audience, because I think people will like and identify with it.
Three Stars out of Four..
Completely underrated..
Sure, this movie has become a soft-core series on cable television...
but this movie is COMPLETELY different from the series that followed.
That said, it has a soul.
It is depressing as hell.
Very realistic scenario, and top-notch acting by all involved.I will not spoil the movie...
but please give this film a fair shot.
The last 15 minutes alone are worth the price of the DVD easily.
The "basketball scene." This movie definitely touched a part of my heart, being as I'm a good guy...
not a jerk.
And usually, the nice guys finish last...
I won't say if the nice guy in this film finishes last or not, but I will say it's very, very heartfelt...
and very, very sad.
EXCELLENT score, too, by George S.
Clinton, who also provided music for Brainscan and others..
he has a beautiful piano style that reminds me of Thomas Newman in its soul.Do give this film a fair chance.
Must be watched from the beginning, or you'll miss the whole point..
Eye candy for women!.
I viewed this movie for the first time on DVD last weekend.
I have watched it many times on VHS.
I liked Billy Wirth's humorous comments about his role in the extras on the DVD.
This movie was the basis for Zalman King's long-running series on Showtime called "Red Shoe Diaries", where David Duchovny reads letters sent to him from women who share their sexual experiences with him.
This is a great movie for women to watch, more than men, because of the two hunky leads: David Duchovny and Billy Wirth.
They both look gorgeous in this movie!
I can understand Brigitte Bako's dilemma over who to pick as her main man in this flick because they both have something to offer.
Why Mr. Duchovny has never discussed this movie or the series as part of his credits I will never understand.
It may not be Shakespeare, but it is nothing to be ashamed of.
On the serious side, it gives one something to think about in regards to relationships and how unstable some people are.
Very entertaining, thought-provoking, and sexy.
Great soundtrack too..
from Fringe Video Fanzine Issue #001.
Directed by the same guy who brought you such soft-core classics as 9 1/2 Weeks and Wild Orchid, this steamy pilot was made for late night cable TV.
Starring X-Files main man David Duchovny.
A husband [David Duchovny] sorting through his recently deceased wife's belongings [played by Brigitte Bakeo] comes across a red diary.
Devastated he finds that his wife was not the devoted woman who claimed that she wanted a meaningful and lasting relationship.
...She longed for the perfect opportunity for having a secret affair with a total stranger.
The perfect body ...on the perfect man [played by Billy Wirth].
Torn between her two lovers, and trapped by a burning secret, she decides that the only way out is suicide.
Leaving her husband wondering, just how many others out there are going through the same problems.
At the end of the film, he decides to put an add in the paper, which is how Zalman King ties together the various vignettes in the TV series..
Under-Rated.
I consider this movie one of the best movies i've seen..
simply because it show's you reality of women and man in their relationships..
2 kinds of feelings: loving too much that blinds and doesn't let you breed.
And you have the game lust that can always be dangerous, because like she though she had control, but that's a game played with someone else that has his own feelings, and the game can lead to tragic endings.
The main cast give good performances, specially Brigette Bako , very sensual,innocent and lost.
Amazing Original soundtrack that add's loads of atmosphere on the scenes..
A must see to every man and woman!
A cult movie if i may say so..
Heart Wrenching Love Story.
My husband says I am way too picky about movies and maybe I am.
But, for some reason this movie really gets to me.
It's kinda like Bridges of Madison County, but with a highly erotic twist.
Maybe I love this movie because I know what it's like to be with a nice guy who is so in love with you (and you love him), but there's this BAD BOY who draws you in like a sexual magnet; and it tears your heart having to choose.
Not being able to choose between her two lovers, Brigitte Bako (Alex) decides to end her life.
Did she leave her diary behind for Jake to find?
I wonder.
Anyway, if you like erotic movies where someone is torn between two lovers, then this movie is for you.
If you think those kind of movies are CRAP, then do yourself a favor and STAY AWAY!!
In general I don't think guys would like this movie.
I, however, have always loved this movie and have waited for years for it to come out on DVD, and it finally has..
memorable erotic melodrama.
Jake Winters (David Duchovny) is struggling with his girlfriend Alex (Brigitte Bako)'s suicide.
He finds her diary and reads the entries.
She had an affair with construction worker/shoe salesman Thomas Butler who is completely different from Jake.
He won't let her go even after Jake's proposal.
She ends up taking her life and Jake decides to go confront Thomas.Duchovny is actually not the lead in the first hour.
It's Brigitte Bako's story.
She's a beautiful woman with some acting skills.
The same could probably be said of Thomas Butler.
It's a meandering erotic melodrama.
Then there is the Duchovny and Butler basketball game to the death.
It is memorable filled with over-the-top drama.
Bridgit Ryan is also memorable as the drunk girl with Heidi #1 and Heidi #2.
It's a little fun, a little erotic and plenty of not-so-good..
Billy Wirth was awesome, displaying his very unique talents.
Although David Duchovny is a talented actor, Billy Wirth's portrayal of Tom should have earned him top billing.
In my opinion, his acting ability and incredible good looks overshadowed the other actors.
Zalman King did a fine job of directing, as evidenced by his ability to make an explicit movie tasteful.
However, it is difficult to understand how Brigett Bako's character could seriously reject Tom, especially after stalking him..
The best heart-twisting love story ever..
This movie is the only movie that I will give a 10 to.
It was an emotional rollercoaster ride like no other.
It still tears me up to watch it.
Very eye-opening for anyone in a relationship..
Simply awful.
Although this movie tries to tug at the heart strings, it fails to provide either likeable characters or believable motivations for their actions.Music, script, and acting are on the level of the average porn movie.
Regrettably, the average porn movie provides more incentive to watch than Red Shoes does.
Don't waste your time with this one..
This orchid is off.
Nearly every one of these reviewers must be on something.
This takes the cake.
It was the one to luckily end this dreaded sex pic franchise, as this movie is alternatively known as Wild Orchid 3, that pretty much hit the shelves after Wild Orchid 2, one of the actresses you'll instantly recognize in both, up near the end, who obviously came along for another ride.
This is a long droning scenario, of a movie, especially in it's last half hour.
What are Zalman King's points in films?
What is he trying to hone in on?
His pics are definitely not without interest, though, as to eye candy, and a lot of nudity, Wild Orchid coming close to porn.
The last Orchid film was so different to both of the others, and having standard actors here, doesn't help either.
I do like the soundtrack for sure, but I think the director forgot he was actually making a movie here.
Image and style, but lacking substance.
Ducohovy plays a widower who's sexy wife committed suicide on the account of guilt, seeking ultimate ecstacy from another male of the species, a hunky construction worker.
See, she also had caught a big of glass in her eye, and one thing led to another.
Now for a shattered Ducohovy, torn up, who finds his late wife's diaries, a revenge finale ensues, against his lover, much like the lead up to it's finale in Zandalee.
The last half hour in this, honestly, plays out like a music video, but if you're seeking out something erotic and dramatic, you could do worse, though having the boring D.D. in the lead, doesn't help..
definitely not the x files.
Red Shoe Diaries is a collection of movies that exist to arouse the imagination through showing it passion-filled fantasy.
Although the storylines vary, one thing is for sure about this collection and that is that it is clean entertainment..
For David Duchovny Fans.
A good movie if you want to see a pre-X-file D.
Duchovny (talking dirty and shirtless).
Also, if you like erotica, then this is a good movie for you.
It is filmed with a lot of strange lights and shadows that sets the dark mood of the movie.