Freeze Frame

A dense bit of irony lies at the core of this romantic thriller in which the suspense is not always maintained. On sabbatical in England, American college professor Beth Conroy enjoys the winding, echoing streets of Cambridge, until her pleasure is destroyed by the prickling sensation that she's being stalked. Unbeknownst to the tiny, blonde Conroy, who resembles the fragile teenagers being preyed upon by a serial killer, she has a picture of the latest victim on the film in her camera, film that the murderer desperately wants. As the menace increases, there's no lack of suspects, though in the unfortunate tradition of foolish females, Beth treats most--the rabbity astronomer, the charming solicitor and the bumbling officer tailing her--as romantic prospects. Although Dorner ( Nightmare ) whips up the atmosphere, adding quite a few creepy moments, stilted dialogue and sticky-sweet romance undercut the chilling effects. (Aug.)