DMA

As a kid I was fascinated by the hanging bodies ad campaign for this film but was too young to actually see it. It’s lingered in the back of my head for 40 years until it popped up on TCM the other night so I finally watched it and I loved it. Granted it’s a little slow to get going but when it reaches the midway pont it’s totally riveting and suspenseful in a very Hitchcockian sort of way. Genevieve (sp?) Bujold is hands down the highlight of the film. Her performance as an independent minded female doctor is really superb. She keeps it subtle in what could have been a thoroughly over the top role for any other actress of that era. I personally feel she is one of the most underrated actresses of her generation. The tone of her performance is perfect. The themes of medical ethics and cost where way ahead of their time in 1978 but so current today. The pacing and nerve wracking suspense which begins mid movie builds towards a thoroughly edge of your seat climax that is intense yet subtle. Elizabeth Ashley is also terrific. Her small role is the one campy part of the movie which she delivers with fantastic and eerie restraint that it’s perfect. Definitely a great popcorn movie worth catching.

The worst sitcom ever made.