The Maddening (1996)
David and Cassie Osborne have an argument one night. So the next morning after David goes to work, Cassie runs off to her sister's house for a few days with their daughter Samantha. Only they never get there. David starts looking for them, and her sister, Joanne, thinks David had something to do with their disappearance, and calls the police. Actually Samantha and Cassie are with Roy and Georgina Scudder, and their daughter Jill. Roy picked them up after their car broke down. The only problem is, the Scudders, who seem a little odd at first, won't let them leave or call anyone.
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Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike
Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.
It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film
Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.
I decided to watch "The Maddening" because I was intrigued by the movie's promise of showcasing Burt Reynolds in a very atypical role, that being a bad guy. But I was sorely let down by the end results. Except for some good photography and lighting for what was a low budget production, the movie goes wrong in just about every way you can think of. The story has nothing really new - you'll be able to more or less predict what will happen next before it actually happens on the screen, save for some REALLY BIG continuity gaffs. As for Reynolds (who wears an especially bad hairpiece), although he has shown he can act in other movies, here he just seems to be badly miscast; at every moment he comes across as good ol' boy Burt Reynolds instead of someone who is scary and disturbed. One last thing: While the movie got slapped with an "R" rating, it really doesn't earn that harsh rating. If you ask me, the movie is more deserving of a PG-13 rating.
Appalling thriller from director Danny Huston went straight-to-video in 1995; one look at it and you'll understand why. Based on the book "Playmates" by Andrew Neiderman, Mia Sara plays an unhappy wife who is kidnapped along with her toddler by a highly dysfunctional rural family. Note to Burt Reynolds: never again try to attempt a Hollywood comeback with a role as a psychotic hick in a curly hairpiece. Shameful, amateurish dud gives off bad vibrations all the way. Huston tries hard to be repulsive (Reynolds punching Sara in the face, a big ugly bug resting on Brian Wimmer's mouth) rather than make an attempt to explore these characters with any kind of depth. He doesn't want viewers to invest their interest, he just wants to shock and provoke. That works for about two scenes...with a seat-numbing 90 minutes still left on the clock. NO STARS from ****
This film was Fantastic, its my favorite film of all time, I am the worlds biggest Burt Reynolds Fan and I thought he played this part superbly.You don't often see him in this sort of role which is what makes this movie so good, its got to be the best thriller I've ever seen in my life, Mia Sara Also did a very good job in her role and well done to Angie Dickenson. This is truly a film worth having on your DVD shelf.This film has inspired me to write a lot of good thriller scripts myself. Sean you understand ;)10 out of 10.
Burt Reynolds finally goes completely insane in this direct-to-video psycho-horror flick about a deranged father who'll stop at nothing to protect his family secrets. Mia Sara is quite good as the hapless victim and disturbed child Jill (Candy Hutson) is entertaining.There are also some gruesome parts such as Cassie's fingernail coming off. Most people have gave this film bad reviews but i enjoyed it and would definately consider watching it again.