Sometimes you just want to watch something light, you know? Something that will foot the bill as entertainment without any especial need to actively engage with or think about the goings-on? 'Tropical heat' certainly fits that bill, only - wow, I can truthfully say I didn't know what I was getting into. Maybe I was a bit naive, thinking that the involvement of Maryam d'Abo - best known as Kara Milovy in 'The living daylights,' the best James Bond movie - necessarily portended an earnest thriller. This isn't to say that this title can't carry itself with those airs, but at the same time, a six-year old wearing a costume at Halloween doesn't make them a werewolf. There's an astounding, almost bewildering, halfhearted sensibility to many if not most scenes, and much of the acting, that belies a different intent to the production. We see this, for example, in the martial arts B-movies of Cynthia Rothrock, like the joyous romps that are 'China O'Brien' and its sequel. Here it becomes flagrantly obvious in no time at all that filmmaker Jag Mundhra's ambition in 1993 was a thriller facade to soft-core frivolity. I can only laugh with disbelieving mirth at the silliness we're treated to, whether with or without clothing; this is a good time, but maybe not in the way it's supposed to be.
I'll say this much - the filming locations are a genuine treat. All the sights and sounds we get of India, whether the countryside, gorgeous specific architecture, or urban landscapes, are rich and flavorful; my compliments to Mundhra, cinematographer V. Shaukat, and location manager P. S. Raja. Similarly, I love the work of makeup artist and hair stylist A. Purushothamaraja and costume designer Nagaraj, and the production design and art direction. Despite the kitschy slant of the feature, there was real care put into it in at least some regards. Only some, mind you; the sound design is a little lacking, and by whatever combination of factors, the takes that were chosen for the final cut include unmistakable deficiencies on the part of the cast, including lines of dialogue that just trail off into indistinct, indecipherable sounds. Even for viewers who are accustomed to low-grade fare of one sort or another, there's a confounding directness to the editing and direction that rather confirms 'Tropical heat' to be little more than a paycheck for anyone involved. Even in those moments when the actors are doing their best to imbue the picture with some sincerity, they are restrained in that capacity by the gauche tone or the faulty construction.
Among the players who do seem to try every now and again, I do not include Rick Rossovich, starring as insurance investigator Gravis. On the other hand, where she's not pointedly restricted by one element or another, I detect real effort from Ashaa Siewkumar; while she brings class and poise in the best of times, in the moments of utmost tawdriness, I swear I can read desperation and pain in d'Abo's face, as if she both regretted but needed this role even as filming was taking place. And the supporting cast, too, even with less time on-screen, seem to be putting their best foot forward (sometimes). Still, in fairness, there's only so much that anyone could have done with this material, for the screenplay is less than perfect. Sure enough, there's a real thriller story underlying the cheesiest of skin flick nonsense, but when all is said and done, there's not much plot in these 90 minutes. Some dialogue is decidedly blunt and overt; the writing and execution of some scenes all too neat and orderly. That's not to say that what substance 'Tropical heat' has to offer is bad, but it's unquestionably less than perfect.
Then again, maybe I'm nitpicking. There's no getting around what this was intended to be - and anyway, if we take it at face value, the broad strokes of the narrative are solid, and adaptable to other locales and characters. This film was never meant for grandeur and elevation in the world of cinema, only passing enjoyment, and it succeeds in that goal. Moreover, there really was a lot of hard work put into the production in many ways, so if the B-grade flourishes conflict with the more honest facets that they adjoin or embellish, well, so it goes. So long as you're not expecting the best of the best, then I think that whatever it is you want out of this feature, you'll get enough to satisfy in at least some measure. 'Tropical heat' has its fair share of problems, but even at its worst I can't say it's not amusing. There's no need to go out of your way for it, and it's probably best reserved for the direly bored or extremely curious, but especially as far as erotic thrillers go, there are worse ways to spend your time.
