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Actors: William H. Macy, Neve Campbell, Donald Sutherland,Tracy Ullman
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| Review Summary and Plot Commentary about Panic |
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Alex (William H. Macy) is a suburban husband and father who works in the family business, which is murder-for-hire, a business founded by Alex's domineering father Michael (Donald Sutherland).
Unhappy in his marriage to his once-beautiful wife (Tracey Ullman) and rapidly entering a midlife crisis, Alex has recently been patronizing the office of Dr. Joshua Parks (John Ritter), a psychiatrist.
While there, he meets Sarah Cassidy (Neve Campbell), a much younger woman with whom he quickly becomes infatuated.
As Alex drifts farther away from his wife, considers his possibled retirement from his father's business, and mulls-over his latest contract, his life slowly disintegrates.
--James Craver, Resident Scholar
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A married and middle-aged man wants to quit the family business of killings for hire (his parents started and run it). He talks to a psychologist and becomes fascinated with a 23-year-old woman as his father and wife grow steadily more anxious about his state of mind. The central character is the role William H. Macy was born to play: he is cramped, crabbed, aching, and almost majestic in the part. He has a number of lovely scenes with his 6-year-old son played by David Dorfman. John Ritter and Neve Campbell are fine as the shrink and love interest; Tracey Ullman is good if underused as the wife; Sutherland is excellent as always as the domineering father. Barbara Bain of TV's "Mission Impossible" and "Space: 1999" does a nice turn as the mother. The film is oddly serene and calm for most of its short 90 minutes -- even the soundtrack is cool and distant -- so the title seems a bit inappropriate. It's a fine writing and directing debut for Henry Bromell, whose primary experience has been as an executive producer for the TV series "Northern Exposure" and "Homicide."
--David Loftus, Resident Scholar
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Excellent and yet unknown film about a married hitman (Macy) having a midlife crisis and sees a psychiatrist. He meets Sarah (Campbell)and has an affair. He also is dealing with his mentor and father (Sutherland) and wants to get out of the business. This is a moving drama that just recently was released in New York. Great acting by everyone especially Macy. A must see. Downsides, though: Amatuerish directing and it is very short at 88m.
--Brian Oliver, Resident Scholar
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| Analysis of Panic |
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Time/era of movie:
- 1980's-1999
Family, struggling with
Yes
Struggle with:
- Father
Crime & Scandal
Yes
Story of
- criminals killing each other
- criminal becomes sensitive
- Killer POV story
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- killer
Age:
- 40's-50's
Hair color?
- red
Hair type
- (man) short/standard straight
Body type
- (man) very skinny
Events of movie makes character more...
- aggressive
- irritated
- sad
- tougher
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
How sensitive is this character?
- soggy whimpering jelly muffin
Sense of humor?
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- average physique
Secondary Main Character
Identity:
- Female
Hair color
- brunette (Black)
Hair style
- (woman) medium/shoulderlgn straight
Body type
- (woman) very skinny
Unclothed?
- very tight clothes
How much in movie?
- 60%
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 60's-90's
Profession/status:
- killer
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- 60%
Hair color
- white
Body type
- (man) skinny
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- average physique
Setting
United States
Yes
The US:
- California
City?
Yes
City:
- Los Angeles
- dirty, grimy (like New York)
- dangerous
- wealthy
- rude people
Style
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
Movie makes you feel...
- thoughtful
Sex/nudity in movie?
Yes
Any profanity?
- Some foul language
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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