Directed
By: Henry Bromell Starring: William H. Macy, Neve Campbell,
Tracey Ullman, Donald Sutherland, John Ritter Rated: R (Violence
/ Language) Running Time: 90 Min.
Panic stars William H. Macy as Alex, a guy who is going through
a standard mid-life crisis. He's doing well in the family
business, and has a loving wife and wonderful six-year-old
son. For some reason, he's still not happy. Alex decides to
visit a psychologist to sort things out. By the way, the family
business is that of contract killer.
So
Alex must answer some rather difficult questions. How much
should he tell the psychologist, played by John Ritter? What
will make him happy? Should he have a fling with the 'sweet
young thing', played by Neve Campbell, whom he met in the
doctor's waiting room? Should he quit the family business?
What would his father, played by Donald Sutherland, think
of him if he does? Or should he just forget all the psychobabble
and complete his next assignment?
Given
that premise, one would be tempted to compare this film with
the movie Analyse This, a comedy about a mob boss who seeks
help from a psychiatrist. While there are many darkly humorous
moments in Panic, it is certainly not a comedy. Unlike the
characters of Analyse This, it is quite believable that the
people portrayed in Panic may actually exist in the real world.
Alex comes from a family whose morals are so twisted that
life and death have become nothing more than cheap commodities,
and the film demonstrates that point with shocking clarity.
This
gritty, realistic feeling is due in large part to writer/director
Henry Bromell. This is Bromell's feature debut as director,
but he's had much experience with the crime-drama genre as
writer and director for the critically acclaimed NBC television
program Homicide: Life on the Streets. It also helps that
this film was produced independent of the Hollywood studio
system. Panic has the Hollywood gloss, but not the Hollywood
mentality. Unlike the Studio suits, Bromell realizes that
those in the audience have brains, and that they know how
to use them.
Bromell
also has what moviemakers like to call a 'Dream' cast. The
actors and actresses in this film are great! Macy, Ullman,
and Sutherland do outstanding jobs, as always. Ritter continues
to build his fine 'Indie' film reputation, and I found myself
wondering why no one, until now, has ever allowed Neve Campbell
to actually act in a film. She was fantastic as well!
Panic
was quite popular at the 2000 Sundance Film Festival, and
has played on American television cable stations that run
Sundance selections. If you are lucky enough to find a theatre
playing this movie, by all means, see it!!! It's one of the
best of 2000.
Allen
J. Vestal
A.J.'s
Place: Movies & More
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