Runtime: 91 Minutes – Country: USA
This film is focusing on a small and lonely town somewhere in the US – and this one seems to be rather awkward, such as the people that are living there. Dr. Jennifer Stillman (Nastassja Kinski, daughter of the genious actor Klaus Kinski – may god rest his soul) is a school therapist that just moved here – being very eagerly with her work. But most certainly, she does not seem to have a good start… all the people are looking at her like stuffed dummys, being very sceptical about her and the work that she wants to pursue here.
There we have the young boy Ben Miller (Bobby Edner), who actually is one of the first persons that are looking her straight into the eye. It seems to be a silent cry for help already – he is being harassed by his schoolfellows indeed – but what is the boy actually up to ? And what about the other people that are living in this town – who are all behaving rather curious ? Especially Dr. Michael McCann (Randy Quaid), Ben’s father – it seems that he knows about one big secret – referring to himself, his son; but also the whole town… so Dr. Jennifer Stillman starts to investigate on her own, being disturbed by the local sheriff and basically all other inhabitants…
Ben Miller (Bobby Edner), who seems to know about one big secret
First of all: what about the overall title ? It has nothing to do with the general storyline, neither than any of the messages one could be able to get out of this production. It is a complete faux pas, if you would ask me. Since the audience would rather expect a general thriller with an universal meaning here – affecting whole mankind. If you have watched the film, you will know that it will turn out to completely different ! It rather is a portrait of one single misleaded children’s soul…
To state it: I think that this is one of the toughest decisions I will ever make, concerning my general film reviews… the following phrase is obligatory, so let me pronounce it again: Warning, Spoilers !
Ben with his father – they seem to have a difficult relationship
Referring to the overall storyline: it seems to be a totally hilarious one; including one of the biggest coincidences ever shown in a film – right after Dr. Jennifer Stillman arrives in the town, there is a big slimy monster appearing, who starts to kill any of the inhabitants that are living in the town, obviously in a random order. According to Ben (who has a great affection towards Sci-Fi stories) this being actually is his father, a lifeform from outer space that is finally coming to get him. Since it is just like this: Dr. Michael McCann obvioulsy isn’t his real father, he has adopted him five years ago – just when his mother died. The detailed circumstances are finally revealed towards the overall ending of this film…
I tought that the film would not have many surprises, after watching the first minutes – but this turns out to be different. Since there actually is an extraterrestial lifeform appearing on earth – but this one is actually brought to life by Ben – and his mysterious powers himself. He just copied this monster from a film that he was watching in the TV, being so powerful that he could actually bring this being into life. Towards the end, and with the help of Dr. Jennifer Stillman Ben starts to remember about the past events. Unfortunately his mother has been seen as some kind of witch, and was therefore killed by the overall townsmen, only leaving her son Ben behind – who has been adopted by Dr. Michael McCann. And this just is the overall secret behind all this…
Dr. Michael McCann is one of the first to encounter the “monster” face to face…
To state it: this obviously is a B-movie that is referring to the overall 50’s. But most certainly – it is a rather good one. After watching the first minutes you would not get rid of the feeling that this is a rather failing horror flick – referring to the title, the cover artwork and the basic storyline. But, it turns out to be a serious drama – certainly, only on a certain base. Considering this way, we have a young boy that has lost his mother early – under very brutal circumstances, since she has been seen as a witch. But her son has so much love for her that this feeling converts into a supernatural power – which could destroy any of those who would approach her. Finally, she sees only one option for his son to live on… she is forbidding him to use these powers. I certainly like this rather unique approach !
A personal reunion – but unfortunately (?) not a familar one…
Unfortunately there are many negative aspects also… that is why I labled this one as my overall toughest choice. To sum this up, the main negative aspect certainly is the overall atmosphere of the film. Referring to the script, it seems to have a hard time by moving between the horror elements (the shocking moments, the brutality, the portrait of the monster) and the general psychic portrait of the young boy. That is why I found myself laughing now and then – some scenes seem to be way too ridiculous. Just take the annoyingly reduced characters that are living within the town – they are so stereotypically that they would already give you a laugh – although it is not ment to be like this.
Talking about the technical part… it is fair. Referring to the whole camera work, the soundtrack et cetera – you would not get to see anything surprising here; but you would not be disturbed also. The acting part however could totally convince me, to admit it. Nastassja Kinski as the school therapist, Bobby Edner as the desperate child standing between all lines, Randy Quaid as his father – wow, this certainly is a well chosen and talented cast. Thumbs up for their great performances !
But, and to say but the last time referring to this film – the whole storyline seems to be way to synthetically, enforced and not very believeable. Too bad, since this film has been a little surprise for me. I will leave you with a 5.5/10 here. Feel free to leave a comment, I would be interested !
This DVD at Amazon.com – The Trailer
