Hidden Movie Gem: “The Frighteners”
Today’s Hidden Movie Gem guest post comes from Daniel Smith.
Movie Title: The Frighteners
Year: 1996
Writers: Fran Walsh and Peter Jackson
Starring: Michael J. Fox, Trini Alvarado, Peter Dobson, John Astin, Dee Wallace Stone, Jeffrey Combs, Jake Busey
Director: Peter Jackson
Plot Summary: When an evil spirit starts a killing spree, a con artist (Michael J. Fox) who can communicate with the dead may be the only one who can stop it from slaughtering both the living and the dead.
Why I Think This Movie Is A Hidden Gem: The Frighteners is a 1996 horror-comedy that gets nearly everything right. With a cast and crew list that includes Michael J. Fox, Peter Jackson (before LOTR), and Robert Zemeckis (as producer), you should expect this film to be a stellar production but it got overlooked mostly because the studio chose to release it in July in spite of campaigning by Jackson and Zemeckis to have it released during Halloween week. IMO, the title and DVD cover also do a poor job of communicating audience expectations.
But let’s dig into the script: Unexpect the expected! What starts as a strange premise — a con man that can communicate with the dead — quickly transforms from a macabre comedy into a dark supernatural thriller that keeps viewers riveted. Jackson’s writing and direction are evident in the superb pacing, the witty dialogue, and an exceptionally satisfying yet devilishly complex ending. Tricks, traps, and reversals abound throughout the story which also includes every clichéd horror location imaginable — multiple graveyards, a haunted house, and an abandoned mental health hospital — but does so in ways that feel fresh, unique, and interesting. Not once does this movie ever feel stale or clichéd.
For writers, this movie is a master course in complex endings that involve competing interest groups yet it also stays true to character, stays true to genre conventions, and delivers on the promise of a massive catharsis. In fact, I’m convinced the writers had the ending nailed before they filled in the middle of the script. It’s that good. The overall structure and pacing are solidly rooted in the plot which is itself rooted in the characters’ desires. All in all, this movie sports a rock-solid construction and that means there’s really very little to complain about.
My Favorite Moment: The layered, climactic ending is superb. I love the ending for its complexity. It was no small feat to pack so much detail and tie up so many loose ends in so few minutes. Without revealing any spoilers, I prefer long third acts because I feel they are more satisfying and this movie delivers that in spades.
There is also a macabre joy in watching the character of Dammers (Jeffrey Combs) transform from a mumbling government agent to a complete psychopath that could rival Dahmer himself.
My Favorite Dialogue in the Movie: This movie is LOADED with great lines. Here are three:
Judge (John Astin): Give it up, Frank! Death ain’t no way to make a living!
R. Lee Ermey is always a fan favorite:
Sergeant Hiles (R. Lee Ermey): What in the hell are you doing in my graveyard? You have been told to stay away! Sound off like you’ve got a pair!
Frank Bannister (Michael J. Fox): Yeah, well, Cemetary is a public place, Hiles.
Sergeant Hiles: I do not like you! You cannot bring your spooks here without my permission! Disappear, scumbag!
In this scene, Frank tries to protect Lucy, his new love interest, by sacrificing his reputation:
Dr. Lucy Lynskey (Trini Alvarado): Frank! Frank! Are you okay? What happened?
Dammers (Jeffrey Combs): [Ordering arrest of Frank Bannister]
Dr. Lucy Lynskey: What do you do? Are you arresting him?
Dammers: Please leave, Mrs. Lynskey!
Frank Bannister: Home, Lucy.
Dr. Lucy Lynskey: [Go towards Frank Bannister] Frank, you need a lawyer! Wait!
Frank Bannister: Home, Lucy.
Dr. Lucy Lynskey: But you haven’t done anything!
[Towards Police]
Dr. Lucy Lynskey: He hasn’t done anything!
Frank Bannister: How could you know? Do you know me? Am I nice guy, Lucy? That cozy scene at the Cuisine restaurant, EXCALIBUR, is bullshit. I was just doing my job.
[Thinks for a while]
Frank Bannister: I don’t give a damn about you, I don’t give a damn about anybody!
Dr. Lucy Lynskey: And what the hell are you saying?
Frank Bannister: Just go home…
Dr. Lucy Lynskey: [begins to cry and leave…]
Sheriff Walt Perry (Troy Evans): Lucy, are you okay to drive?
Dr. Lucy Lynskey: YEAH!
Key Things You Should Look For When Watching This Movie: This movie sets up several competing interest groups and each one has a role to play in the complex ending. It’s important to keep in mind who is on which team and what their motives are because the loyalties and motives of some of the characters evolve over the course of the movie.
Movie Trailer:
Thanks, Daniel! To show our gratitude for your guest post, here’s a dash of creative juju for you. Whoosh!
Tomorrow: Another Hidden Movie Gem!
Note: We filled up the month of October, so I don’t need any more guest posts. Thanks to everyone who participated!