| Panic: See This Film -- If You Can | |
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by Marcy Dermansky
Chances are, you haven't heard
of Henry Bromell's "Panic." It's sneaking it's way through small theaters
quietly without due publicity or buzz. If you blink, and perhaps you already
have, this movie will be gone. Or worse still, it simply won't make it your
way. That's a shame. "Panic" is the best independent film I've seen
in 2001. It's a pleasure, a short and disturbing eighty-eight minute delight.
William H. Macy stars as Alex, a father with sad eyes, who owns a mail order business that sells plumbing devices and sex gadgets; he is also a hit man in the family business who no longer wants to be in that line of work. Donald Sutherland delivers a chilling performance as Alex's father, who has controlled his son's life from the time he was old enough to hold a gun. Alex suffers a crisis when he realizes he can no longer kill people. He sees a shrink (John Ritter) even though he does not believe in shrinks; he doesn't sleep. He keeps his distance from his wife (Tracey Ullman). Alex tenderly tucks his six year old son in bed at night, and fails to answer impossible questions like"What is infinity?"
The
story begins when Alex meets a "beautiful young thing" in the waiting
room of his therapist's office, Sarah Cassidy (a funky Neve Campbell at her
best). It's an improbable place for a romance, but it's lovely to watch their
relationship develop and stall. Alex turns to Sarah as he avoids his wife, tucks
in his son, and confronts his father. It's wonderful to see what happens when
a controlled sad man finally gets angry.
I can't say much more about this film, because I don't want to give anything way. You'll have to trust me that the twists in this film are wonderful. David Dorfman, as six year old Sammy, makes you believe that children might indeed be worth having.
My guess is that this film doesn't fit in any one genre comfortably enough, and that it's too close in concept to Analyze This and the equally worthy, overlooked Gun Shy, to gain too much attention. Don't let that keep you away from this smart movie -- see it while you can.
Written and directed by Henry Bromell; director of photography, Jeffry Jur; edited by Lynzee Klingman and Cindy Mollo; music by Brian Tyler; production designer, Dan Bishop; produced by Andrew Lazar, Lori Miller and Matt Cooper; released by Roxie Releasing. Running time: 88 minutes. This film is not rated.
Starring: William H. Macy (Alex), Donald Sutherland (Michael), Neve Campbell (Sarah), Tracey Ullman (Martha), John Ritter (Josh Parks), Barbara Bain (Deidre) and David Dorfman (Sammy).
