The Worst Film Ever

As Good As It Gets

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Disclaimer – I lived in South Africa from 1977 to 1980 and working as a Professor in Johannesburg I came up against the problems of Apartheid many times. Because I was involved in some activities that might be considered seditious (admitting the first Blacks to post-graduate training, working as the only white Clinical Psychologist in an all- Black psychiatric hospital, working to create a rapprochement between isangomas in sub Saharan Africa) I also came into contact with the authorities, although not as badly as the central character. I did, however, spend 17 days in an African prisoner of war camp in Zambia, where the torture and interrogation techniques were not dis-similar).The film gives an accurate portrayal of the schisms in South Africa during the end of the Apartheid era – between Afrikaneers and English whites and between Blacks and whites, and even within these groups. Nigel Hawthorne (who was born in South Africa) gives a bravura performance as the Colonel in charge of interrogation. This ranks right up there with his work in "The Madness of King George" (1996).Eric Stoltz doesn't really show the conflicts that many liberal whites showed, so one has to wait for his sessions with Hawthorne for the action to heat up.The scenes between Hawthorne and Lou Gossett are equally notable.Arthur Penn directs, this his last film. Penn is famous for such films as Bonnie and Clyde (1967), "The Miracle Worker" (1962), and "Little Big Man" (1970). The current film shows his heritage from his work on Playhouse 90 which this film more represents that the wide screen films he is famous for.

Have just finished watching this film, which upset me greatly. Have also been to South Africa twice, around the time this film is set.It is certainly hard-hitting, and the opening scenes tend to 'set the scene'. The slow but steady increase of pace hardly allows a break, and there are certainly few light moments.Will never be able to view Nigel Hawthorne the same again. He came across as a very twisted individual, and I found myself disliking him more each time he appeared.Totally agree with Steve-thomp's articulate and well thought-out comments.

I saw this film the other night, together with another film about the Apartheid in South Africa, A DRY WHITE SEASON, and this was by far the weakest of the two. The other one is not a masterpiece either, but at least you get to know more about the issue than in this film.Here, we have 90 minutes of people being tortured by a sadistic colonel(Nigel Hawthorne), with no real depth to it. It's all presented in a rather cold fashion too. The actors are good however and this is not a really bad film, it's just that if you want to see a film about this subject, you better watch A DRY WHITE SEASON. 5/10

This movie is nothing short of a dark, gritty masterpiece. I may be bias, as the Apartheid era is an area I've always felt for. But I'd say it ranks right up with Cry Freedom and Cry the Beloved Country. Sadly up until a few days ago I'd never even heard of this movie. Inside is one of the most underrated films of all time, probably because it was a small film company, I'd never even heard of it before. Eric Stoltz, one of my favorite actors anyway, is believable and dramatic, Nigel Hawthorne plays his dastardly role well. Do not look for humor in this film, there is none. It is real, savage and gritty to the last, and to the sensitive I'd say bring a box of tissues. But movies as great as this make you wonder, why is it that the greatest films are often never heard of?