A cheerfully twisted tale of two conjoined brothers-one of whom is carried around in a basket.
Starring: Kevin Van Hentenryck, Terri Susan Smith, Beverly Bonner, Robert Vogel, Diana Browne
Directed by: Frank Henenlotter
Runtime: 91 minutes
Studio: Something Weird Video
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I can remember seeing Basket Case 2 (1990) many years ago and though it showed footage of the conclusion to the original film it remains one that has slipped me by…until now, of course. The opportunity to finally tick off this low budget cult horror classic was too good to turn down. I realised that being made on a shoestring I would have to be forgiving in some respects but I wasn’t about to let Basket Case off lightly.
The film opens with the grisly murder of Dr Julius Liflander (Bill Freeman) in his home before our focus quickly switches to New York where Duane Bradley (Kevin Van Hentenryck) takes a room in a rundown hotel and has a basket in tow. Duane talks to the basket and even pops out to the local fast food to feed burgers to the mysterious creature inside. It turns out that Duane’s basket is the hiding place of his brother, Belial, and the siblings are in New York for some bloody purpose. Complications arise though when Duane meets a receptionist Sharon (Terri Susan Smith) and falls in love. Their blossoming romance puts a huge strain on the relationship between the brothers and Belial is one brother you don’t want to annoy.
Basket Case does show the low budget that was poured into it, particularly with scenes involving the jealous Belial trashing the hotel room in fits of jealousy as Duane romances Sharon. Such elements are forgivable based on the money that went into the film. These incidences aside it relaxes into a pretty standard horror film but with an interesting concept. Duane and Belial are targeting people in the medical profession and as the film progresses we learn a few home truths about the past and in particular the series of scars on one side of Duane’s body. The two brothers have a telepathic connection which maintains the close bond between them but proves troublesome when Duane is alone with Sharon and Belial flies into a rage out of jealousy. He wants Duane to remain focused on their task to visit a select few doctors for, let’s just say, a brief chat.
The effects in Basket Case are forgivably poor at times but there is plenty of gore for the horror fans and the story does manage to remain interesting throughout. You may be put off owning a basket ever again after watching this but a huge cult appeal has been built around it, not to mention two sequels that have followed. The one I saw wasn’t great but this original was a significant improvement. I’m not sure I’d want to stay in the same hotel as Duane and Belial end up doing, not just the price but the general hospitality are most disconcerting.
Basket Case is showing its age and that meager budget is very hard to deny when you see some of the effects. However, the story is intriguing and the complex relationship between Duane and Belial should maintain the interest throughout the many bloody exchanges. For such a small chap that Belial packs a mean punch is all I can say, or should that be claw?
Verdict: 3/5
(Film source: reviewer’s own copy)
Film Review: Basket Case | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave
