October 3, 1990 -- ``Pacific Heights'' is a stark, psychological thriller, pitting a sociopathic tenant, chillingly portrayed by Michael Keaton, against some landlords. While it is hard to sympathize with a landlord this movie moves along quite nicely nonetheless because of Keaton's outstanding performance.

The film comes down to a battle of wits and wills between Keaton, who is trying to fleece the landlords out of their own property, and Melanie Griffith, one of the landlords. While Griffith isn't very believable as a match for the powerful Keaton, it is still an interesting contest.

The tension builds throughout the film right up to the climax primarily because of the controlled fury of Keaton, who does a brilliant job of not showing too much anger until the very end of the film.

Seldom since Hitchcock has there been such fine overall control of pacing and suspense in a film.

On a scale of one to 10, it rates a seven.

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