Too much of everything

Don't listen to the negative reviews

Absolutely Brilliant!

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

A sexual assault victim manages to escape from her attacker, but leaves her purse behind. Worried that he may finish what he started, she contacts the police but they are unable to help.Her worst fears are realised when, alone in the house, her attacker visits and attempts to assault her once more. Circumstances allow her not only to resist the attack, but to turn the tables and lock him away. And this is where the situation really begins to escalate. Does she release him and risk another attack, or does she go for the eye for an eye route....Based on a stage play (and clearly shows) the film tries hard to get a message across, but I feel that a stage production would carry the message a little further.Fawcett and Russo are great in their respective roles, but as soon as the secondary characters become involved, it turns almost farcical with it's narrative.One starts drinking heavily and becomes the whiner of the pack, the other tries to play doctor, but only escalates the situation, and the element of the terrible dilemma that is placed on the three becomes almost laughable.If it was just Fawcett and Russo in one setting, this could have been one of the most tense thrillers to be released in 1986, instead it feels more like a late night edition of one of your favourite soaps.It's not a terrible film by any means, it's just that the third act takes any intensity away that the first two did...

Adapted from the off-Brodway play, "Extremities" has Farrah Fawcett resuming her stage role as a woman targeted by a serial rapist and murderer who breaks into her home with the intent to kill her after a botched rape attempt. After dismantling him and blockading him inside her fireplace, she and her two female roommates struggle with what to do next.This is an all around minimalist thriller that is taut and effective in spite of locale limitations. The film is structured much like the stage play, with the majority of the action taking place in the confines of a living room. Thus, the film is very much dialogue-driven, dependent on strong performances which the cast deliver. Farrah Fawcett is one of the most underrated actresses ever as far as I'm concerned, and her performance in this film is proof of it; she was much more than a pretty face on "Charlie's Angels" and plastered on the walls of teenage baby boomer boys' bedrooms. James Russo— who also starred in the stage production with Fawcett— plays the villain with tenacity and menace that is overtaken in the second act as the film swirls with moral debate between the two other women; Alfre Woodard and Diana Scarwid provide solid and necessary support here. The real electric chemistry at the crux of the film is between Fawcett and Russo, and this is very likely due to their past experience playing out the narrative onstage together; regardless, both of these performances are honest and believable.Though not exactly a "suspense" film, there is a high level of tensity maintained throughout; nearly every scene is rife with it. The opening sequence featuring a point-of- view shot from Russo as he stalks potential victims in the night before locking in on Fawcett is especially sinister and almost reminiscent of a slasher film. The denouement follows a jaw-dropping one-to-one between the two leads with a hunting knife and family jewels.Overall, "Extremities" is a minimalist but solid thriller that works as a thriller and as an acting decathlon for Fawcett and Russo (especially Fawcett). I'd say to see it just for the acting, but there is also a great handling of material here that shapes the source material into a formidable and disturbing adaptation. 8/10.

Kudos to Fawcett to taking on roles that, at the time were considered controversial. To my recollection, rape was still a taboo subject in the 1980's, and women's rights and emotions were rarely so deeply examined during that time.Fawcett is simply a woman who is followed, then stalked by actor James Russo. He is adequate as the obsessed psychopath, but at times a bit transparent.Diana Scarwid has a bit role, as does Alfre Woodard as the house mate. Woodard worries about the legal consequences when Fawcett, the rape victim, takes revenge on the culprit. The scene where she throws a frying pan of hot oil at Russo is classic, and as the rapist he deserves it. She then keeps him in bondage, and the consequences must be faced.A very real story reflecting the emotions and rage of rape victims who have been violated, physically, and mentally. Highly recommended. 8/10.

I loved this excellent movie. Farrah Fawcett played the part phenomenally and with good heart. She plays a woman who is driven to extreme measures to protect herself and her friends after she is attacked by a stranger. After being rejected by the police she realizes she is on her own.Then one day when she at home alone the stranger breaks into her home and attacks her again. Not being about to call the police or get him out she is forced to spray him in the eyes and imprisons him in her fireplace.I think there is a need for a wake up call to the laws of the land. They are too easy on these criminals. It's time for more harsh punishments.