MOVIE REVIEW

Panic  (2000)

Starring: William H. Macy, Neve Campbell, Donald Sutherland, John Ritter
Director: Henry Bromell

Rating: R

Studio: Artisan Entertainment

Release Date: 1.19.01

Review Posted: 4.21.01

Spoilers: Minor

By Angelo

Panic, a dark comedy from first time director Henry Bromell, almost never got a major theatrical release. After a successful run at Sundance last year, the film was just going to be shown on HBO after a dismal test screening in Los Angeles by a largely teenage crowd. Now another independent studio has acquired the film and I’m glad to see that Panic will get the attention it deserves for it is one of the best movies of 2001.

William H. Macy plays Alex, a middle-aged man in the midst of a personal crisis. He is quite unhappy with his marriage to Martha (Tracey Ullman). They have a six-year old son Sammy, who is ever so charming and cute, whom they adore, but nevertheless they cannot ignore the fact that their passion for each other has dissipated. Furthermore, Alex’s more pressing and formidable problem is that he’s having doubts about staying in his dad’s business…the business of killing people for money. Alex is a hit man for 
his overbearing father (Donald Sutherland), who has taught him ever since he was a little boy the way of the gun. Because of his qualms, Alex decides to see a therapist (John Ritter) to find some guidance, but instead he finds complications when he meets and falls for a foxy young lady (Neve Campbell) in the doctor’s lobby, plus his next assignment is to wipe out his therapist.

Panic does not boast of any gimmicky end-plot twists nor fast paced fights or chases, and it doesn’t need to. From start to finish, the film was hypnotic. I couldn’t help but be in a heightened sense of anticipation of where the movie was going, and I was very well intrigued by the story. The Los Angeles setting seemed normal, the dialogue seemed to be from everyday conversation, yet there is this underlying darkness that permeates the screen. The father-son tension is gravely troubling and handled tactfully, as Alex tries to break away from a life of crime (almost abuse really) while 
shielding his family from harm. There are several flashbacks that refer back to his childhood and other events that shape his place in life, and all of these just give us a better perspective on the situation.

William H. Macy is great as the sad-eyed hit man. He always brings out the best of his character, making him sympathetic and utterly likable as he was in Fargo and Magnolia. Just look into his eyes, and you can understand what’s going on in Alex’s troubled mind. The rest of the cast was also great (especially Ullman and Sutherland) and makes for a memorable ensemble.

Panic despite almost being shoved straight to television, should not be missed for it is a haunting piece of cinema. This is one of the best films of the year so far.

Rating: 4 out of 4

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