A stalker (Michael Biehn) turns violent when a Broadway actress (Lauren Bacall) spurns him.
Based on a very good novel this is basically another slice'n'dice horror film. It's better acted then most--Biehn, Bacall and Maureen Stapleton give in very good performances (especially Biehn) and the film was originally supposed to just concentrate on Biehn's obsession and the killings were supposed to be bloodless. But (according to magazine articles at the time) "Friday the 13th" came out at the time "The Fan" started production and "Friday..." was a HUGE hit. So, they added blood and violence to the film figuring that was what made "Friday..." such a big hit. Bacall was shocked by the violence and refused to promote the film. Biehn (in an interview) said everybody hated each other and he was forced to promote the movie and perform in the gore scenes. Because of that, he didn't work for 2 years. Just another example of what might have been a very good psychological thriller turned into a gore movie.
To be totally truthful, the murders and attacks aren't THAT bad and the good acting helped keep interest, but I totally gave up on the film with a VERY homophobic scene where a gay man is brutally murdered while...um..."pleasuring" Biehn (although in defense of the movie it was much worse in the book).
It all ends up in a horrible sequence in which Bacall goes one-on-one with Biehn. Seeing such a wonderful actress as Bacall being attacked by Biehn is trully appalling. Also they changed the ending of the book (which had a MUCH better ending). And James Garner is shamefully wasted.
All in all, the good acting and a few good sequences ALMOST make this worth watching. ALMOST.
Based on a very good novel this is basically another slice'n'dice horror film. It's better acted then most--Biehn, Bacall and Maureen Stapleton give in very good performances (especially Biehn) and the film was originally supposed to just concentrate on Biehn's obsession and the killings were supposed to be bloodless. But (according to magazine articles at the time) "Friday the 13th" came out at the time "The Fan" started production and "Friday..." was a HUGE hit. So, they added blood and violence to the film figuring that was what made "Friday..." such a big hit. Bacall was shocked by the violence and refused to promote the film. Biehn (in an interview) said everybody hated each other and he was forced to promote the movie and perform in the gore scenes. Because of that, he didn't work for 2 years. Just another example of what might have been a very good psychological thriller turned into a gore movie.
To be totally truthful, the murders and attacks aren't THAT bad and the good acting helped keep interest, but I totally gave up on the film with a VERY homophobic scene where a gay man is brutally murdered while...um..."pleasuring" Biehn (although in defense of the movie it was much worse in the book).
It all ends up in a horrible sequence in which Bacall goes one-on-one with Biehn. Seeing such a wonderful actress as Bacall being attacked by Biehn is trully appalling. Also they changed the ending of the book (which had a MUCH better ending). And James Garner is shamefully wasted.
All in all, the good acting and a few good sequences ALMOST make this worth watching. ALMOST.