The one about the innocent married couple plagued by a pair of evildoers resurfaces with Rutger Hauer and Karen Allen as yacht owners who take on a bad cargo. Mark Montgomery’s formulaic theme doesn’t serve up many shocks — NBC’s 1992 “Shadow of a Stranger” and CBS’ ’93 “Adrift” come to mind — as slick dentist Eric Roberts and wife Connie Nelson climb aboard. “Voyage” plows the airwaves with a few jumpy moments, but the whole thing’s too familiar to stir up much anxiety.
Long-married Hauer and Allen encounter her high school boyfriend of sorts (Roberts), who invites himself and Nelson aboard the ketch sailing to Malta. At first, as expected, things go swimmingly, but Roberts, whose bubble isn’t centered, starts showing his true self, which is that familiar leering, crude sort such characters traditionally turn into.
There are fits and starts as Hauer and Allen try ridding themselves of the other couple, but of course thathas to wait for the denouement. Director John Mackenzie uses plenty of devices to churn up action, but the suspense remains mild.
Roberts’ half-shadowed face and Allen’s fresh visage are used to build contrasts, but they don’t help.
Hauer’s rugged command comes off diminished, but Allen makes something credible out of the distressed wife. Roberts overplays his stock role, but Nelson makes her character believable.
Production designer Enrico Fiorentini successfully catches the nautical spirit, and Clive Tickner’s lensing is good. Carol Davis’ score ranges from sensual to exultant.
