Culture Magazine

Thinner (1996)

By Newguy

logoDirector: Tom Holland

Writer: Michael McDowell, Tom Holland (Screenplay) Stephen King (Novel)

Starring: Robert John Burke, Joe Mantegna, Lucinda Jenny, Michael Constantine, Kari Wuhrer, Bethany Joy Lenz

 

Plot: Billy Halleck (Burke) is a top lawyer who gets bad guys off and considered one of the best in the business. His family life with Heidi (Jenney) he is desperately trying to lose weight but failing. One night Billy is returning home with his wife when he accidently runs over a gypsy lady. After getting away free the lady’s father puts a curse on everyone involved Billy’s the Thinning, Billy has to race against time before he wastes away.

 

Verdict: A disturbingly twisted tale

Story: When you see the name Stephen King attached to anything you know you are in for something good. This follows trends with a disturbing tale about the gypsy and their curses. We get to see how far people will go to get a curse lifted, how people in power can get away with more. And most importantly there are consequences to our mistakes. (9/10)

 

Actor Review: Robert John Burke – Billy the overweight lawyer who gets away with manslaughter. Robert does a great job going through not just a physical change but a character change as the story unfolds. Star Performance Award (9/10)

 

billy

Actor Review: Joe Mantegna – Richie a gangster who Billy helps gets off a crime and soon helps Billy getting the curse lifted. Good typical gangster performance. (7/10)

joe

Actor Review: Lucinda Jenney – Heidi, Billy’s wife who is always on his back about going on a diet but when he starts losing weight she doesn’t believe the reason or him anymore. Good support role that shows Billy what could or is going on behind his back. (7/10)

 

wife

Actor Review: Michael Constantine – Tadzu the gypsy who puts the curse on the victims.  Good supporting role to go against Billy. (8/10)

 

gypsy

Director Review: Tom Holland – Good direction from Tom showing he knows how to make the creepy films. (8/10)

 

Horror: This is very creepy film, don’t expect any jumps though. (8/10)

Thriller: With every moment Billy gets worse you just want to know when it will end. (8/10)

Special Effects: Good special effects throughout with some of the creations on the curse as well as the weight change for Billy. (9/10)

Believability: All depends on whether you want to believe in gypsy curses. (5/10)

Chances of Tears: No (0/10)

Settings: The settings work for the film but there are no individual settings that stand out. (8/10)

Suggestion: I will suggest nearly all the Stephen King adaptions as I am a huge King fan. I think this will offer enough for everyone as it isn’t flat out horror but also creepy it would be enjoyable for the casual fan too. (Watch)

 

Best Part: The twist ending.

Kill Of The Film: The Judge

Oscar Chances: No

Chances of Sequel: No

Similar Too: Drag Me To Hell

 

Overall: Very impressive horror thriller

Rating 

81


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