Who payed the critics

Overrated

Absolutely Fantastic

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

I begin, so I won't forget later, by commenting that the child actor in this film is stunningly good. He nails long bits of dialogue in long unbroken takes. He adds so much humanity to the film.It is pointless to opine about William H. Macy. He is a titan. But, god almighty lets not forget Donald Sutherland. He is the pinnacle of evil wrapped up in sheep's clothing. The mentor of his son, in a very disreputable trade. And god, I miss John Ritter! And Neve Campbell.. be still my heart.Hit men movies are always enjoyable. What this says of humanity I don't know. But a hit man movie saturated with humanity is something yet again and I promise this combination makes for a very satisfying experience.

This movie never gets going. William Macy does his usually stuttery blank delivery of script lines. None of the characters give you anything to care about. The kid's annoyingly precocious and whoever wrote the script obviously had none. Neve Campbell provides some tepid salacious moments (ooh, girl on girl, she's bisexual, isn't that hot). Donald Sutherland hams it up but essentially has nothing to say, and repeats it. Nothing happens that isn't telegraphed clearly. A waste of time. HBO is completely capable of producing excellent flicks (the film on the Scarsdale diet doctor is one), but this is a stinker. Waste of several good actors. Plus, there are very few therapists who put patients in the same waiting room, and very few who strike up conversations while there.

"Panic" is an excellent drama. Macy plays Alex, who is a hit-man. He wants to retire, but his Dad, Michael (Sutherland) won't let him...without a fight. Alex is having a nervous breakdown and goes to a psychologist, Dr. Parks (John Ritter) When Michael hears about this, he puts out a hit on Parks."Panic" was dumped on video for no reason. It's definitely a hidden gem. The whole cast is fantastic. Macy and Sutherland are perfect in their roles. Sutherland's character stands out. Even when Michael is opening a birthday present, he looks menacing.Tracy Ullman plays Alex's wife. She also does a good job at developing her character throughout the film."Panic" is a movie you should look out for, if you like the actors involved.For more insanity, please visit: comeuppancereviews.com

What a surprising treat to come across on late television. Had I only read a brief plot rundown on a television listing before seeing the movie, I would have passed. The idea of a movie about a hit-man-seeing-a shrink-wanting-to leave-the-business-and-falling-in-love....sounds trite. But the film works. From the start of the movie, it's clear the man carries a weight on his shoulders, before he even says a word. The look and feel of the film is perfect. dark, but not obnoxiously so.Aside from the hit-man family aspect which provides a touch of surrealism, Macy's character grapples with his marriage, and his father's control. Macy shows a repressed sadness, and his bedtime talks with his young son are amazing. The young boy shows acting skills well beyond his years, and the interaction between the father and son is so very natural, personal and loving.This is one of the best movies I've seen in a while, and I can't believe I came across it by accident on late night television.