The story line of No Mercy may seem familiar: to avenge his partner's murder and uncover the killer, a tough Chicago cop comes to Louisiana and finds himself embroiled with a beautiful and enigmatic blonde and a creepy crime lord. But the way this film executes a seemingly standard plot is unique, entertaining and effective. Richard Gere as the cop Eddie Jillette is an appropriate fish-out-of-water, uncovering a complex and frightening underworld. Under Richard Pearce's skilful direction both he and Kim Basinger (as Michel Duvall) are credibly drawn to each other as they're accidentally handcuffed and running through the eerie bayou. But also credit James Carabatsos's script which appropriately captures Jillette's grief and obsession, his anger and confusion, his growing understanding and affection for Michel. There's a particularly well-done love scene, borne out of passion and desperation and the chemistry between Gere and Basinger is very evident. Good support comes from William Atherton as the fey attorney Allan Deveneux, Jeroen Krabbé as the evil Losado, George Dzundza as Captain Stemkowski, Bruce McGill as Lieutenant Hall and the late Ray Sharkey as Angles Ryan. No Mercy, like Angel Heart before it, uses its mystical, magical Louisiana setting to its best advantage; it's beautiful, yet frightening; mysterious, yet compelling--like Michel and like the movie itself. --N F Mendoza,