| With the sad passing of Jack Lemmon, it is only a matter of time perhaps before The Simpsons retire Gil, the sorry shlub based on Lemmon’s character in Glengarry Glen Ross and hand the torch of homage to William H. Macy, Lemmon’s direct descendant for performances ever-nervous and ever the everyman. Much like the has-been wreck Lemmon played in GGR, so does Macy pull off a similarly nuanced performance of occupational dissatisfaction in Panic. If you haven’t heard of this small noir, it isn’t surprising. While critics sang its praises, a very limited theatrical engagement meant next to no audience until now maybe with its video release. Roger Ebert even featured the film in his annual Overlooked Film Festival. Panic is a film about all things naughty and anxious in the life of a hit man. Think of Tony Soprano as a nervous nancy who hates his father and you’re on the right track. Bill Macy is the hit man who has just begun to see a shrink (John Ritter) to ease his mind over his thoughts of quitting the family business- or rather, the business put upon him at a young age by his father (Donald Sutherland). A couple twists of intrigue are then thrown on for flavor. 1) In the shrink’s waiting room, he meets a hot young thing (Neve Campbell) with whom he fantasizes about committing adultery. 2) His father’s latest job/victim that Macy must “take care of” is none other than his new psychiatrist. Generally, this film went down smoothly, but, unfortunately, went much too slowly for my taste. Saving the pace, though, were great performances all around. Bill Macy, as I said, is perfectly cast. A small mix of his Little Bill and Quiz Kid Donnie Smith characters from Boogie Nights and Magnolia, respectively; a man trying to hold control of a life clearly running away without him. Neve Campbell shows more chops here as a scared and scarred seductress than I have seen from her- maybe ever. She evokes her role in Wild Things- not sexually, but through the ideals of being so morally enigmatic; at once fragile and cunning. John Ritter makes a tender shrink as the film’s semi comic relief. Think of Alan Arkin in Grosse Pointe Blank minus the lack of clarity. A solid supporter. Last, Donald Sutherland, an actor who I have never liked, is especially despicable as Macy’s bastard father. As Macy remembers the fateful day when his father first took him out to shoot a gun, Sutherland becomes a villainous patriarch. Similarly, when he attempts to make history repeat itself with Macy’s precious grade school son, you hate him everything you have, praying that the mousy Macy will for once speak up. If you’re tired of the recent rental options (i.e. Dude, Where’s My Car?) then check out Panic for a welcome change. It is very slow, but it’s also a great showcase to watch brilliant, not-oft-celebrated actors heat to their boiling points, meeting with a tender and excellent conclusion. $4.00/5.00 |
| Panic By Dan |
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