The film was directed by Ridley Scott, and starred Tom Berenger as a NYC cop assigned to protect a New York socialite, played by Mimi Rogers, who has witnessed a murder.

Opera is prominent at two key moments. The first is around 53 mins into the film. The socialite has been informed that the murderer was let go on a technicality and is at large. She is found locked in the bedroom of her uber-elegant apartment, terrified and in tears, drinking a stiff scotch, and trying unsuccessfully to comfort herself by listening to Callas singing “Ebben? Ne andrò lontana” from La Wally. Berenger bursts in having heard the news. Big sparks fly between the two as Callas sings.

Later, around 1 hour, 13 mins into the film, the cop finds the socialite in her bedroom listening to Mady Mesplé and Danielle Millet singing the Flower duet from Lakmé. The scene is certainly set for a frank discussion about their affair.

This is not the ultimate opera-in-movies film, but I chose it because the effective use of opera significantly helps create a seductive feel to the film and enhances the beautiful cinematography of Steven Poster.

The film is worth a revisit not only for the two beautiful opera moments but also for two shining stars whose chemistry was palpable, in a beautifully photographed New York City – a city where sophisticated women go to glittering evening affairs at the Guggenheim and have been known to enjoy an affair or two of their own, all while escaping the clutches of the occasional murderer.