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PANIC

Roger Ebert championed and talked about this film as it made the festival circuit and created enough interest in the film that a brief multi-city release was arranged. Marketing and awareness was minimal and by the time people heard anything about the film, it was out of the theater and just a few weeks away from being released on DVD. If you've heard that Panic is a near masterpiece of a film . . . don't get your hopes up too high for it. It's a film too easy to forget and too delicate to live up to, too much hype. * * * *

The good news is, Panic delivers an interesting variation on a story idea that several filmmakers have attempted with poor results. The balance of black comedy and quiet character study is achieved for two thirds of the film. Then, unfortunately the script unravels and the film telegraphs its ending and then delivers it without the additional twist the film needed. * * * *

I don't want to spoil the film by saying too much about it. If you are able to watch it without knowing more than it has something to do with a hit man's middle aged crisis, you'll enjoy how the film reveals its story and introduces us to it's various characters. The film is an intelligent, pretty quiet and mostly restrained comedy-drama. * * * *

Front and center is William H. Macy who gives us a restrained controlled performance as a memorable character in his 40's named Alex. Alex is part of a very interesting dysfunctional family. Alex has never asserted himself against his father and has continued in the family business. Now however, he wants more for both himself and to pass on to his young son, Sammy. To complicate matters he's completely infatuated with a young women in her 20's. Contemplating how to make changes causes him to very quietly panic. * * * *

Playing well off him (perhaps surprisingly to some) is John Ritter. He's playing a psychiatrist and the choices Ritter makes in his performance are usually a lot more subtle then what you might expect from him. Neve Campbell delivers what is easily her best performance. That's perhaps not saying a lot considering some of the work that she's done, but she works surprisingly well with Macy here. Donald Sutherland makes more of his role than what is written and for the most of the film his performance is charismatic, entertaining and believable. It's a real shame the script takes the easy way out where he's concerned and he's forced to surrender to the simplistic nature of the script. Tracey Ullman delivers a very natural dramatic type performance. She uses no tricks or tics in her portrayal of a suburban house wife. Barbara Bain also delivers and impressive performance. * * * *

The film is very modest in it's compositions but chooses a few shots particularly well. Unfortunately, it's best visual ideas are in the film's first 30 minutes . The film builds slowly and then delivers exactly what it has set us up to expect. It either needed to end in an open ended type style or with a clever twist--without it the film becomes an almost instantly forgettable above average cable TV type film. * * *

The performances, style and ideas aren't quite unique enough for me to strongly recommend you find the time to watch this film. You should however find a few worthwhile and entertaining moments, particularly if you're fond of dark comedies.

Panic does not look at all like the miniscule budgeted film it actually was. It is presented in anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen, and the transfer colorfully and crisply captures upper middle class Los Angeles suburbia beautifully. The shots of the Pacific Design Center (The Blue Whale) are also impressive. Black levels are consistent, the print used in pristine and free from scratches and dirt and there is no visible graininess on display.

The audio mix is presented in Dolby 2.0 and is nothing special. The full spectrum of speakers is really only used by the music score. The dialogue is well separated and crisp, clear and easy to hear. This is a dialogue driven character study type film so the audio presentation is more than adequate.

There are 5 deleted scenes included on the DVD. The film would not have been improved with the inclusion of any of them but they are interesting to watch. Better than average filmography/biographies on key crew members has been included and it's something I like to see provided on DVDs even if interest in this is limited to film buffs, and people who work or aspire to work in films. * * * *

The theatrical trailer is presented in a pristine anamorphic 2.35.1 widescreen with Dolby Digital 2.0. Menus & Interface:

There's a nice touch on the menu page. We see shots of Macy changing position on the black leather couch as the "Destiny Speech" dialogue by Sutherland is heard in the background.

Panic is a quirky, stylish black comic character study. It's the kind of the film that needed a good ending and has only a mediocre one. An added twist,or something a little less telegraphed and expected would have boosted the film from a near miss to a real sleeper of a film. There's still many good reasons to see it however. William H. Macy, Tracey Ullman, John Ritter, Neve Campbell, Donald Sutherland and Barbara Bain deliver good performance. The script on occasion lets them down but they're delightful to watch.. * * * *

Christopher Jarmick, is the author of The Glass Cocoon with Serena F. Holder a critically acclaimed, steamy suspense thriller. For more information visit the web site at: http://www.radiofreegallery.com/jarmicknholder.htm * * * * * * Original portions of this review Copyright© Christopher J. Jarmick 2001. The above work is protected by international copyright law.