Desolation Sound (2005)

Most people have friends and enemies. But typically it’s only women who have a frenemy. The word seemed to first pop up in pop culture via the Oct. 1, 2000 episode of Sex and the City (1998-2004). Yet the combination of “friend” and “enemy” has actually been around since the 1950s. Of course, it didn’t catch on until the 1990s and then gained even more momentum in the new millennium. Perhaps that’s why the concept is at the center of Desolation Sound (2005). Shot in Canada, the R rated flick follows Laurel Elliott (Hélène Joy) and her husband Michael (Ian Tracey) in the Great White North. All seems great until Laurel’s old friend Elizabeth Storey (Jennifer Beals) comes to visit. As you may guess, Ms. Storey has a back story. She also appears to be a frenemy since she’s been getting it on with Michael behind Laurel’s back. Maybe that’s why Laurel flashes her front (and her black-haired wig) to Doug Shepard (Ed Begley Jr.) 59 minutes into the movie. If that’s not titillating enough, she also bares her breasts (and her natural blonde locks) in the bath. Why is this woman changing her hair color? And why is Elizabeth’s car found at the bottom of a cliff? Could it be that Laurel is really the ultimate frenemy? As the police investigate the situation, life changes for everyone involved. Suffice it to say, sensual shenanigans, murderous mayhem, and some genuinely gripping suspense sequences follow suit. Meanwhile, we’ll follow Ms. Joy’s birthday suit!