Based on a novel by the late Robert Cormier, the film paints a fairly dark picture of humanity in general and emphasises the dangers of mob rule through the vehicle of a chocolate sale in a Catholic High School of all things. A pessimistic tone pervades the film and, in the end, no one really wins. Good doesn't triumph over evil. While I haven't read the original novel from 1974, I certainly want to. Apparently, the original ending is even more pessimistic.
The star of the film is, technically, Ilan Mitchell-Smith - best known as Wyatt in "Weird Science" a.k.a. the one who wasn't Anthony Michael Hall - as Jerry Renault. I say "technically" because while the thrust of the story pivots around Jerry, other characters have considerably more screen time, particularly in the first half an hour of the movie. To be perfectly honest, Mitchell-Smith isn't a great actor but he's certainly adequate. It's also supported by a great secondary cast including John Glover, Wallace Langham, Adam Baldwin and Doug Hutchinson (who was apparently 27 at the time in spite of the fact that he was playing an 18-year-old boy). Glover and Langham, probably best known for their roles in "Smallville" and "CSI" respectively, deserve particular praise.
I've been wanting to see this film for over two years and it was well worth the wait. One of the most powerful films that I've seen in a long time which raises some thought provoking issues. It cost $500,000 but made only about $300,000 at the box office. It's so little known that I don't think that it's even earned cult status! I imagine that its lack of success was based on its somewhat silly sounding title, frankly. However, it's far darker and much more interesting than the title would suggest. The cheesy soundtrack aside, I heartily recommend this film.
The star of the film is, technically, Ilan Mitchell-Smith - best known as Wyatt in "Weird Science" a.k.a. the one who wasn't Anthony Michael Hall - as Jerry Renault. I say "technically" because while the thrust of the story pivots around Jerry, other characters have considerably more screen time, particularly in the first half an hour of the movie. To be perfectly honest, Mitchell-Smith isn't a great actor but he's certainly adequate. It's also supported by a great secondary cast including John Glover, Wallace Langham, Adam Baldwin and Doug Hutchinson (who was apparently 27 at the time in spite of the fact that he was playing an 18-year-old boy). Glover and Langham, probably best known for their roles in "Smallville" and "CSI" respectively, deserve particular praise.
I've been wanting to see this film for over two years and it was well worth the wait. One of the most powerful films that I've seen in a long time which raises some thought provoking issues. It cost $500,000 but made only about $300,000 at the box office. It's so little known that I don't think that it's even earned cult status! I imagine that its lack of success was based on its somewhat silly sounding title, frankly. However, it's far darker and much more interesting than the title would suggest. The cheesy soundtrack aside, I heartily recommend this film.