I’ve been a fan of Robert Englund for some time, even before
he made himself famous as Freddy Krueger. I’m talking back to his first film
BUSTER AND BILLIE (when will someone finally release that to DVD?) There are
some that will not give him his due having been the star of a horror franchise,
but the fact is the man can act and do it well (see THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
for proof). So why won’t someone give him the chance? He even elevates this
film in moments but he can’t save it on his own.
Englund plays Dr. Andover, a psychiatrist who ran a clinic
that used a new invention he created to help people overcome their distinctive
phobias. But something happened along the way and he shut down the program
after several patients were cured and left. Now those patients are having
problems dealing with those phobias they once thought they were cured of.
They’re returning to the clinic one at a time with the hope that he will cure
them all over again. But that is not to be.
While the test group has faith in the doctor and all he
achieved, something happened with one of those patients that made him close
down the program but not the facility. When one of these patients has a
terrible incident he decides to try again but without the success he had in the
past. As a matter of fact something has happened while using the machine that
has caused a totally unwanted result that may end up killing them all. Only the
phobic patients and the doctor working together can achieve the outcome they
seek.
So this movie plays out okay but in the end leaves much to
be desired. The idea of the machine that gives the doctor the chance to enter
the minds of his patients somewhat is a neat concept that could have turned out
much better. But there are a number of clichés that fill out the time on this
movie that make it take a turn for the worse. Uncaring and corruptible
orderlies have become the norm in horror films. It’s about time that real
orderlies formed a union and took movie makers to task for this portrayal of
people who work hard for no pay and no recognition.
The special effects on display aren’t bad but they aren’t
stellar either. They get the job done but nothing stand out in my mind as worth
mentioning now that I’m writing after watching the movie. The acting by the
main characters isn’t bad but like the special effects none are noteworthy.
The movie apparently was based on a web series and it shows.
While that might have taken short moments to unreel a story that could be
watched on a weekly basis, putting them together to form an entire film just
doesn’t work. Englund played the same role in that series and honestly he’s the
best thing on display in this movie. Where some would handle the part with
camp, Englund actually makes his character seem like a doctor who truly cares
for his patients and wants what is best for them. But like I said earlier, he
can’t carry the entire movie alone.
I’ve often wondered what would happen if someone along the
lines of Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Francis Ford Coppola or Guy Ritchie
were to take Englund and put him in a major role how it might elevate his
status in Hollywood. I think he could bring acting skill to any role they gave
him that would surprise most. If only someone would be willing to take that
chance then perhaps we would see him in movies that were more deserving of his
abilities. Until then we’ll just have to enjoy him in parts like this, making
the most of a bad movie and raising it a star or two on the rating scale.
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