This second batch of episodes, 12 in all on two DVDs, seems more confident than Femme's freshman outing, even if story quality remains wildly varied. Tanit Phoenix (Safe House) hosts the proceedings, with scenarios that include:
• a comic-book heroine,
• time-traveling clones,
• noir-drenched detectives
• and so much moaning.
For every leaden dud like the women-in-prison “Jailbreak” or the reality-show parody of “15 Minutes,” there's a lurid gem in the vengeance-seeking “Trophy Wife” and the is-she-or-isn't-she “Crazy Mary.”
Largely, the ladies front-and-center of each ep are unknowns, with descending stars taking supporting roles, including Eric Roberts, Vivica A. Fox, Steve Railsback, Jeff Fahey and Casper Van Dien, who's really good (seriously!) as a sleazy photographer.
I could do without the attempt to continue telling a tale from the previous season, because the fun of Femme is seeing what it will do next, not what it will do again. This is pulp with lots of juice. —Rod Lott
Hey! Read This:
• Femme Fatales: The Complete First Season DVD review
