This film is not good. The acting is awful, the pacing is awful, it's only redeeming quality is Burt's toupee as the only reason I kept watching was to see if it would actually jump off his head. Don't get me wrong, I love Burt Reynolds but I can only assume his star was waning by the time this came along.
The main problem I have with this is that I have no idea what it is. Thriller? Horror? Comedy? Absolutely no clue. The only thing I do know is that it's not good whatever it's supposed to be. I'm just sad to see Mr Reynolds doing his best in this Turkey.
20 Reviews
Sleazy, Not Scary
bondscammer13 December 2019
I've been a fan of the late Burt Reynolds since seeing
his hilarious 'Smokey And The Bandit' at a drivie-in as a kid in the 70's.
Out of curiosity, I watched 'The Maddening' on YouTube recently and regretted it.
This is not the Burt I grew up with or care to see. All actors do whatever roles they want but he was more of a personality and played each part the same way utilizing his charming personality.
This 'southern gothic' thriller (horror?) film displays none of his good ole boy persona, and instead, he plays a violent rapist holding a young mother and her daughter hostage at his isolated property along with his mentally ill wife played by Angie Dickinson.
I loved seeing Mia Sara (Ferris Bueller) who is fine as the captive of the deranged couple (Burt & Angie) until her husband (miraculously) stumbles across the property while our searching for his missing wife and child.
Low budget, mediocre and derivative, I wish I had watched 'Hooper' again instead!
Failure....
gridoon13 June 2001
How low is Burt Reynolds willing to stoop, during this late phase of his career? Apparently pretty low indeed, judging from this tedious thriller that was barely released theatrically. Reynolds seems miscast in his change-of-pace villainous role, and the snail-like pacing and poor production values remove most of the "entertainment value" this movie might had possessed. (*1/2)
Rape fetish
doorbomb6227 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
1995 was a very maddening, hard cut year in the film business. Direct-to-video was rising higher than television, and many actors and actresses had careers that were either sustained, or broken. In some cases, they were making comebacks, or trying to, in the case of Burt Reynolds and this sleazy little shocker. Also in tow, are Angie Dickenson, and Mia Sara, both of who, give their best efforts, though Burt owns this one, and it's not a very complimentary thing either.
Burt was attempting the comeback here, and many actors who do so, usually end up in some kind of a sexy setting, with sexy, if not romantic encounters with younger woman. It tends to restore some youth to their image, and vitality to their careers as leading men. Nothing new here. Mia Sara is the young 20-something in this regard. However, Instead of Jack Nicholson and Amanda Peet in 'Something's Gotta Give', or Liam Neeson and January Jones in ''Unknown', this is a most unsavory attempt at contentious material. No romance, no sexiness. Reynolds just slaps Sara around for about 70 minutes before raping her.
Our suspenseful plot involves the young mother Sara on the road in a failed escape plan to rendezvous with her sister after her career-oriented husband won't give her some sexual attention. No problem. Plenty of men are out there, and one in particular snags her on the go. Reynolds character Roy Scutter tampers with the car, locks her up in his old creepy backwoods house, and bullies her on both emotional and physical levels. All the while we're suppose to be scared and question why. Welp, it all boils down to the insane older man wanting to sexually conquer this poor young mother. And conquer her he does.
Some can see the business sense here, and it's logical that Renolds was still sporting some good rugged looks at this time, and sure, like Stallone and Quaid today, he wanted to ensure he still had "it", and a career. Sadly this was a horrid way to go about doing that. It's in the lighting, and shot compositions, and the hair/makeup/wardrobe. Burt has a style and a look for every moment. Dark and brooding for his menacing moments, charming and warm for his introduction, sexed up and rugged for the rape scene. Folks, that's what it was all about. Banging a younger woman. Sex sells, and this film did it horribly. It's quite a turn on for the Blanche Devereaux's of the world. (think The Golden Girls season 2, episode 2). But ultimately this one falls short. Reynolds tries his best to sway all the way to complete insanity for the integrity of the role but it s all to obvious what the point of this mess was.
My advice, if you want to see Burt in a sleazy smarmy role wit integrity, watch 'Boogie Nights', though by the sweat on his chest and unbuttoned shirt after the fact, it looks like this could have had the same title...
Burt was attempting the comeback here, and many actors who do so, usually end up in some kind of a sexy setting, with sexy, if not romantic encounters with younger woman. It tends to restore some youth to their image, and vitality to their careers as leading men. Nothing new here. Mia Sara is the young 20-something in this regard. However, Instead of Jack Nicholson and Amanda Peet in 'Something's Gotta Give', or Liam Neeson and January Jones in ''Unknown', this is a most unsavory attempt at contentious material. No romance, no sexiness. Reynolds just slaps Sara around for about 70 minutes before raping her.
Our suspenseful plot involves the young mother Sara on the road in a failed escape plan to rendezvous with her sister after her career-oriented husband won't give her some sexual attention. No problem. Plenty of men are out there, and one in particular snags her on the go. Reynolds character Roy Scutter tampers with the car, locks her up in his old creepy backwoods house, and bullies her on both emotional and physical levels. All the while we're suppose to be scared and question why. Welp, it all boils down to the insane older man wanting to sexually conquer this poor young mother. And conquer her he does.
Some can see the business sense here, and it's logical that Renolds was still sporting some good rugged looks at this time, and sure, like Stallone and Quaid today, he wanted to ensure he still had "it", and a career. Sadly this was a horrid way to go about doing that. It's in the lighting, and shot compositions, and the hair/makeup/wardrobe. Burt has a style and a look for every moment. Dark and brooding for his menacing moments, charming and warm for his introduction, sexed up and rugged for the rape scene. Folks, that's what it was all about. Banging a younger woman. Sex sells, and this film did it horribly. It's quite a turn on for the Blanche Devereaux's of the world. (think The Golden Girls season 2, episode 2). But ultimately this one falls short. Reynolds tries his best to sway all the way to complete insanity for the integrity of the role but it s all to obvious what the point of this mess was.
My advice, if you want to see Burt in a sleazy smarmy role wit integrity, watch 'Boogie Nights', though by the sweat on his chest and unbuttoned shirt after the fact, it looks like this could have had the same title...
What was Burt thinking?
jmacd-328 December 2006
The Maddening is a trashy, low-budget flick with a "big" star. I couldn't figure out why Burt Reynolds would appear in something like this, especially since he's always seemed so vain, I didn't think he'd have it in him to play a "bad guy." Looking back, this was made around the time of his divorce from Loni Anderson and the cancellation of his TV Show, so his star was definitely on the decline at the time. Maybe he needed the money to pay for lawyers? That being said, Burt is one of the few really good things in this film. His understated performance and on-screen charisma kept me watching even when the story and terribly pacing made me want to turn it off.
Unfortunately there's only so much that actors can do with material. This film is paced so poorly, and the story is so one-dimensional (just waiting for all of the characters to converge for the final show-down) that there's little the actors can do to help.
Unfortunately there's only so much that actors can do with material. This film is paced so poorly, and the story is so one-dimensional (just waiting for all of the characters to converge for the final show-down) that there's little the actors can do to help.
I enjoyed it!
twisted_sista21 June 2001
Burt Reynolds finally goes completely insane in this direct-to-video psycho-horror flick about a deranged father who'll stop at nothing to protect his family secrets. Mia Sara is quite good as the hapless victim and disturbed child Jill (Candy Hutson) is entertaining.There are also some gruesome parts such as Cassie's fingernail coming off. Most people have gave this film bad reviews but i enjoyed it and would definately consider watching it again.
No career comebacks were made here...easily one of the worst movies ever made
moonspinner5512 May 2009
Appalling thriller from director Danny Huston went straight-to-video in 1995; one look at it and you'll understand why. Based on the book "Playmates" by Andrew Neiderman, Mia Sara plays an unhappy wife who is kidnapped along with her toddler by a highly dysfunctional rural family. Note to Burt Reynolds: never again try to attempt a Hollywood comeback with a role as a psychotic hick in a curly hairpiece. Shameful, amateurish dud gives off bad vibrations all the way. Huston tries hard to be repulsive (Reynolds punching Sara in the face, a big ugly bug resting on Brian Wimmer's mouth) rather than make an attempt to explore these characters with any kind of depth. He doesn't want viewers to invest their interest, he just wants to shock and provoke. That works for about two scenes...with a seat-numbing 90 minutes still left on the clock. NO STARS from ****
Criminally undervalued on IMDB ...........
merklekranz31 December 2019
Inspired creepiness demonstrated by the acting of Burt Reynolds, Angie Dickinson, Josh Mostel, and William Hickey, pushes this rarely seen slasher into way above average territory. Deranged Reynolds and Dickinson have family secrets that unfortunate victims, Mia Sara and her Daughter stumble into, where they are forced into playing the roll of the deceased. William Hickey is excellent as the ghost of Reynold's Father, who is a constant tormentor of an incredibly unhinged Burt. This film is a real surprise, beginning slowly, but eventually building to a heart pounding climax. The tension is greatly enhanced by an excellent score, and several genuinely unnerving scenes. A true sleeper that is criminally undervalued on IMDB. - MERK
Pass the cheese!!
desperationnumberfive28 November 2007
Burt Reynolds as a psycho... definitely had me interested when I came across this one on late- night cable TV. I should have known that like most of everything Burt Reynoolds has made in the last 20 years or so, this one is very high on camp and pretty low on quality. I was even more surprised to see that it was directed by Danny Huston, who has since gone on to do some excellent acting work in some very acclaimed films. I guess The Maddening was a low point for both him and Burt... check it out only if you dare. Kind of reminded me of the B-movie classic The Stepfather, except this one is even lower in production value.
Great fun
Leofwine_draca8 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I'm surprised by the negative reviews on here because THE MADDENING is great fun for those of us who enjoy psycho-thrillers. It's one of the cheesiest of the '90s, in no small part thanks to the presence of Burt Reynolds as an out-and-out nutcase whose open madness becomes more and more apparent as the running time goes out. He plays a rural hick, living in a big old country house with wife Angie Dickinson, and the story begins when innocent Mia Sara ends up at the place a prisoner. The sub-plots that follow are laced with plenty of comedy, with a Nedry-style cop hunting for Sara's put-upon husband whom he suspects of her murder. None of it's remotely convincing, but watching the actors chewing the scenery is certainly entertaining, with things building to an appropriately OTT climax. They don't make 'em like this anymore!
Burt fans surely would want to see him in a rare bad guy role, but the end result of it all is pretty ridiculous.
tarbosh2200010 February 2012
Warning: Spoilers
It's "Burtsploitation" at its finest as the legendary Reynolds plays an evil psycho in a DTV thriller.
Roy Scudder (the Burtster) and his wife Georgina (Dickinson) live in a creepy old house somewhere in the backwoods of Florida. For their own twisted psychological ends, they kidnap Cassie Osbourne (Sara) and her young daughter Samantha (Buglewicz) and force them to become members of their family. While they're trying to escape their clutches, Cassie's husband David (Wimmer) and police inspector Chicky Ross (Mostel) are also trying to get to the bottom of their disappearance. Will they escape with their lives...or will their attempts just be MADDENING? Trying out the "Old Dark House" scenario with some Psycho (1960)-like moves on a very low budget, The Maddening really is just a standard, dumb hostage drama but with a few "creepy" shots and musical stings. It should have been more of an out-and-out horror movie with a higher kill count, and what further sinks the notion of horror-ness is some stupid humor. Typified by, among other things, the "comical" fat detective that is always eating and even has stereotypical tuba music playing when he walks. Last time we checked, that's not what horror fans want to see.
What they DO want to see, obviously, is Burt Reynolds. He has some sort of Southern, perhaps Cajun accent that comes and goes, and the absurd toupee he wears looks like a squirrel glued to his head. But for menacing glares, you can't do much better than the U.S. VHS cover. This may have been made in the 90's, but it's no Malone. The rest of the movie has an odd, stilted vibe.
While the movie has a reasonably professional air to it, due largely - probably - to famous Danny Huston as director - it's kind of hard to imagine anyone being really SCARED by The Maddening. Unless you're a kid, but then why would you be seeing The Maddening? Unless your parents rented it and you happened to see it...see, this could go on forever. It's the type of thing that keeps you up at night, We tell ya.
The Maddening is an oddity that only could have happened in the 90's. It has some big names in a scenario that wavers between unintentional "laffs" and scenes of child abuse. Burt fans surely would want to see him in a rare bad guy role, but the end result of it all is pretty ridiculous.
For more action insanity, please visit: comeuppancereviews.com
Roy Scudder (the Burtster) and his wife Georgina (Dickinson) live in a creepy old house somewhere in the backwoods of Florida. For their own twisted psychological ends, they kidnap Cassie Osbourne (Sara) and her young daughter Samantha (Buglewicz) and force them to become members of their family. While they're trying to escape their clutches, Cassie's husband David (Wimmer) and police inspector Chicky Ross (Mostel) are also trying to get to the bottom of their disappearance. Will they escape with their lives...or will their attempts just be MADDENING? Trying out the "Old Dark House" scenario with some Psycho (1960)-like moves on a very low budget, The Maddening really is just a standard, dumb hostage drama but with a few "creepy" shots and musical stings. It should have been more of an out-and-out horror movie with a higher kill count, and what further sinks the notion of horror-ness is some stupid humor. Typified by, among other things, the "comical" fat detective that is always eating and even has stereotypical tuba music playing when he walks. Last time we checked, that's not what horror fans want to see.
What they DO want to see, obviously, is Burt Reynolds. He has some sort of Southern, perhaps Cajun accent that comes and goes, and the absurd toupee he wears looks like a squirrel glued to his head. But for menacing glares, you can't do much better than the U.S. VHS cover. This may have been made in the 90's, but it's no Malone. The rest of the movie has an odd, stilted vibe.
While the movie has a reasonably professional air to it, due largely - probably - to famous Danny Huston as director - it's kind of hard to imagine anyone being really SCARED by The Maddening. Unless you're a kid, but then why would you be seeing The Maddening? Unless your parents rented it and you happened to see it...see, this could go on forever. It's the type of thing that keeps you up at night, We tell ya.
The Maddening is an oddity that only could have happened in the 90's. It has some big names in a scenario that wavers between unintentional "laffs" and scenes of child abuse. Burt fans surely would want to see him in a rare bad guy role, but the end result of it all is pretty ridiculous.
For more action insanity, please visit: comeuppancereviews.com
One heck of a creepy film....perfect 'sleazy' talent
prfrmr3 September 2007
I first saw this film in '96 shortly after it came out. My then-bf's dad rented it cause it was a thriller. Back then I didn't know what an Indie film was. Regardless, this one shines a very different light on Reynolds' talent. From the stereotype ladies-man, machoism his fans have long known him for, he takes a few steps back here to a darker, more sinister role (less, later on as 'Boss Hogg'). He starts out as the hunky car mechanic..... coming to the aid and rescue of Mia Sara and daughter. But obviously somethings not all there when he cons an engine prob, offering Sara a call from his own house. Only to "kidnap" her and her young daughter to become companion and house slave to his demented wife (Dickinson). Creepy. There are several moments of ill-found passion where he bullies Sara, and at one time, nearly rapes her, only due to the ghost of his wheelchair-bound demented father....and a hidden, grotesque family secret.....revealed in all hellishness at the end.
A must see.
A must see.
This film may very well madden
videorama-759-8593914 June 2018
This starts off as quite a well spun, psychological drama, until our oblivious innocents meet Burt and his deranged family. Reynolds really does a good job of playing the madman of a deranged family, still living in denial, of losing close loved ones, until Sara and daughter step into the picture, as familiar replacements, and becoming entrapped in the nutter's house. Dickerson, is very good as the deranged wife, overacting some notches. But they do give quite scary and trying performances in a dumb movie, that becomes more preposterous, as scenes become more preposterous, with some unbefitting music scores, excluding the major one I liked, the best thing about this film. The scene early on with husband, arguing with Sara's sister, not too fond of this guy, was just laughable, where you just can't take this one seriously as a scary thriller. It's just too dumb. The little girl of the nutters, equally nutty, gets on your nerves too. There were some moments, she actually made me uncomfortable. The pudgy cop, who sort of looks like Newman from Seinfeld, was the other plus, in a film, left better on the shelves. Stay away.
An entertaining and violent drama
ary25 August 1999
The most important and especial aspect of this motion picture is Burt Reynolds' performance. Here, he plays Roy Scudder, a simple, but dangerous and angry man who will do everything to protect his family's secrets.Reynolds is terrific,and this is a good chance to see him making different roles.His eyes resemble the ones of a hunter.Although very interesting, and sometimes extremely violent, The Maddening is a bit slow,and suffers due the poor production and the weak direction by Danny Huston.Over all,the movie has some memorable actings and moments (like the ending, or the confrontation between Reynolds and Sara's characters-there is a particular powerful and dramatic moment in which Roy talks about his father, in an impressive line "...watching me...watching me, and hating me, hating me because I was normal...and I hated him!because he wasn't!"). Mia Sara is great, and her chemistry worked so well with Reynolds that the star invited her to participate in his thriller Hard Time,and Angie Dickinson is also worth of mention.Even having some defects, The Maddening is a good entertainment...
Burt Reynolds has a blank expression in the film, but I don't think that can be helped
vampire_hounddog29 September 2020
A middle-class couple have a falling out due to his working long hours at work. She (Mia Sara) walks out with their daughter (Kayla Buglewicz) and drives through Florida to get to her sister's but never arrives. Her car breaks down and the husband (Brian Wimmer) becomes suspect number one. Meanwhile, mother and child are held hostages by a deranged couple (Burt Reynolds and Angie Dickinson).
A quirky cheap thriller, typical straight to video thriller slackly directed by quality actor, Danny Huston. It has a decent Southern Gothic feel that does not make up for its hamfisted shortfalls. The acting is poor with only Dickinson having a modicum of dignity.
A quirky cheap thriller, typical straight to video thriller slackly directed by quality actor, Danny Huston. It has a decent Southern Gothic feel that does not make up for its hamfisted shortfalls. The acting is poor with only Dickinson having a modicum of dignity.
Pretty good.
HumanoidOfFlesh31 August 2002
I was a bit skeptical to see this film,mainly because Burt Reynolds plays a psycho killer!I was wrong-"The Maddening" is very good.Reynolds performance is just scary and flawless,and the film has its share of surprises.It's creepy,mildly disturbing at times,but still manages to be entertaining for horror/thriller fans!The acting is surprisingly good and there are some violent scenes like nasty throat slashing!Check it out-you won't be disappointed!8 out of 10.
A low budget movie. but an exallent one.
pivo_00725 January 2002
This movie is truly one of my favouits. A great thriller with great acting from Burt Reynolds,Angie Dickinson,and mia sara. And very good direction from danny huston. I love this movie so much because I got to see Burt Reynolds as the bad guy. You dont often see that. I hope that he plays that sort of part again. Trust me if you havent seen this movie yet then you better see it soon.
May be Reynolds' lowest point
Wizard-86 December 2014
I decided to watch "The Maddening" because I was intrigued by the movie's promise of showcasing Burt Reynolds in a very atypical role, that being a bad guy. But I was sorely let down by the end results. Except for some good photography and lighting for what was a low budget production, the movie goes wrong in just about every way you can think of. The story has nothing really new - you'll be able to more or less predict what will happen next before it actually happens on the screen, save for some REALLY BIG continuity gaffs. As for Reynolds (who wears an especially bad hairpiece), although he has shown he can act in other movies, here he just seems to be badly miscast; at every moment he comes across as good ol' boy Burt Reynolds instead of someone who is scary and disturbed. One last thing: While the movie got slapped with an "R" rating, it really doesn't earn that harsh rating. If you ask me, the movie is more deserving of a PG-13 rating.
Brilliant Film.
mr_pivac198523 February 2003
This film was Fantastic, its my favorite film of all time, I am the worlds biggest Burt Reynolds Fan and I thought he played this part superbly.
You don't often see him in this sort of role which is what makes this movie so good, its got to be the best thriller I've ever seen in my life, Mia Sara Also did a very good job in her role and well done to Angie Dickenson. This is truly a film worth having on your DVD shelf.
This film has inspired me to write a lot of good thriller scripts myself. Sean you understand ;)
10 out of 10.
You don't often see him in this sort of role which is what makes this movie so good, its got to be the best thriller I've ever seen in my life, Mia Sara Also did a very good job in her role and well done to Angie Dickenson. This is truly a film worth having on your DVD shelf.
This film has inspired me to write a lot of good thriller scripts myself. Sean you understand ;)
10 out of 10.
* out of 4.
brandonsites198116 September 2002
Disturbing, but trashy flick with three good actors completely wasted. Burt Reynolds tries extremely hard to bring depth and meaning to his repellent character, but comes up short handed. As for Mia Sara and Angie Dickinson, both of these actresses have proven before in the past that they are solid actresses. However, in this effort they are used as little more then scenery or to just cry and acted scared. The director keeps things moving at a snail like pace and both the director and writer of this project can both be blamed for failing to build up any thrills or suspense. A major disappointment, but at least much better things were in store for Reynolds about 2 years later (Boogie Nights).
Rated R; Adult Themes, Violence.
Rated R; Adult Themes, Violence.
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