NEW YORK --Formerly titled "Life During Wartime", Evan Dunsky's debut film has the studied artificiality of the kind of off-Broadway play (by Keith Reddin) from which it was adapted.
A quirky black comedy about a security systems salesman who gets in over his head both professionally and personally, the film is a would-be allegory about American business that reveals more than a little Mametian influence. It is ultimately too clever for its own good, but some very funny dialogue and a beautifully nuanced performance by Stanley Tucci are redeeming features.
The film, which screened at the Toronto and Sundance festivals, stars David Arquette as Tommy, a young salesman who's just started work at a home-security company owned by fast-talking, slick, supersalesman Heinrich (Tucci). Heinrich talks a great game, but, as Tommy soon finds out, he doesn't just rely on his persuasive sales techniques to grow his business. To fuel his potential and current customers' paranoia, he breaks into their homes in order to demonstrate their need for his systems.
During his first day on the job, Tommy visits prospective client Gale, a beautiful older widow (Kate Capshaw) who turns out to be both his first client and a willing lover. The two begin a torrid affair, complicated only by the unexpected arrival of Gale's teenage son Howard (Ryan Reynolds). Tommy attempts to be a counselor to the young man, but it's Howard who teaches Tommy a thing or two.
Things turn darker in the film's second half, when a brutal murder occurs and Tommy becomes increasingly convinced that Heinrich was responsible.
"The Alarmist" is a genuinely offbeat effort, distinguished by funny and perceptive dialogue, sharp performances and a fresh subject matter. But it ultimately veers off in too many directions at once, with writer-director Dunsky not fully able to handle the many shifts of tone. Although it might have been effective onstage, the material merely seems awkward when transferred to the more realistic film medium.
Still, it does display much more imagination than most indie efforts, and the acting is superb. Tucci, one of the most vital and reactive actors working today, is compelling as the boss who is as strangely lovable as he is creepy. Arquette is the personification of awkward naivete, and Capshaw is appealing and surprisingly funny as the widow -- although, between this and "The Locusts", she might want to stay away from the older woman/younger man thing for a while.
THE ALARMIST
Lions Gate Releasing
Credits: Director-screenplay: Evan Dunsky; Producers: Dan Stone, Lisa Zimble; Executive producers: Beau Flynn, Stefan Simchowitz, Matthias Emeke, Thomas Augsberger; Director of photography: Alex Nepomniaschy; Editor: Norman Buckley; Music: Christopher Beck. Cast: Tommy: David Arquette; Heinrich: Stanley Tucci; Gale: Kate Capshaw; Sally: Mary McCormack; Howard: Ryan Reynolds; April: Tricia Vessey. No MPAA rating. Color/stereo. Running time -- 93 minutes.
A quirky black comedy about a security systems salesman who gets in over his head both professionally and personally, the film is a would-be allegory about American business that reveals more than a little Mametian influence. It is ultimately too clever for its own good, but some very funny dialogue and a beautifully nuanced performance by Stanley Tucci are redeeming features.
The film, which screened at the Toronto and Sundance festivals, stars David Arquette as Tommy, a young salesman who's just started work at a home-security company owned by fast-talking, slick, supersalesman Heinrich (Tucci). Heinrich talks a great game, but, as Tommy soon finds out, he doesn't just rely on his persuasive sales techniques to grow his business. To fuel his potential and current customers' paranoia, he breaks into their homes in order to demonstrate their need for his systems.
During his first day on the job, Tommy visits prospective client Gale, a beautiful older widow (Kate Capshaw) who turns out to be both his first client and a willing lover. The two begin a torrid affair, complicated only by the unexpected arrival of Gale's teenage son Howard (Ryan Reynolds). Tommy attempts to be a counselor to the young man, but it's Howard who teaches Tommy a thing or two.
Things turn darker in the film's second half, when a brutal murder occurs and Tommy becomes increasingly convinced that Heinrich was responsible.
"The Alarmist" is a genuinely offbeat effort, distinguished by funny and perceptive dialogue, sharp performances and a fresh subject matter. But it ultimately veers off in too many directions at once, with writer-director Dunsky not fully able to handle the many shifts of tone. Although it might have been effective onstage, the material merely seems awkward when transferred to the more realistic film medium.
Still, it does display much more imagination than most indie efforts, and the acting is superb. Tucci, one of the most vital and reactive actors working today, is compelling as the boss who is as strangely lovable as he is creepy. Arquette is the personification of awkward naivete, and Capshaw is appealing and surprisingly funny as the widow -- although, between this and "The Locusts", she might want to stay away from the older woman/younger man thing for a while.
THE ALARMIST
Lions Gate Releasing
Credits: Director-screenplay: Evan Dunsky; Producers: Dan Stone, Lisa Zimble; Executive producers: Beau Flynn, Stefan Simchowitz, Matthias Emeke, Thomas Augsberger; Director of photography: Alex Nepomniaschy; Editor: Norman Buckley; Music: Christopher Beck. Cast: Tommy: David Arquette; Heinrich: Stanley Tucci; Gale: Kate Capshaw; Sally: Mary McCormack; Howard: Ryan Reynolds; April: Tricia Vessey. No MPAA rating. Color/stereo. Running time -- 93 minutes.
- 10/20/1998
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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