Expected more

As Good As It Gets

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

It starts out good, but finishes flat, a promising idea that disappoints. The acting/direction in some of the scenes is wanting. If you have something better to do, don't let this one stop you.This seems to be a low budget affair. There are times when Costas Mandylor's accent seems to have about three variations. One bright spot, the architecture of the house. The movie was made in Queensland, Australia, but you can't tell it from the movie. It is set in California, and goes to great lengths not to show anything recognizable. It is a shame that they didn't go ahead and make the setting Queensland, and shot some local landmarks. One goof: During the baseball game they had the home team at the top of the scoreboard. Anyone who knows baseball, the home team goes on the bottom.

Ally Sheedy and her family are tormented by the supernatural in this hopelessly silly combination of Poltergeist and Carrie cliches. Airborne cutlery, a hungry rottweiler, a concerned parapsychologist, and a lot of condensation appear in the proceedings. The acting is good (especially Sheedy), but bland writing and presentation--not to mention a ridiculous computer-generated "monster"--keep it from excelling. The ending might make you scream, but only with laughter. Watch Trilogy of Terror instead.

If you like horror films this one delivers the goods well enough, with plenty of special effects and at least an attempt to rationalise the thing with a psychological basis. Ally Sheedy's low-key performance tends to increase the effect, making her the fulcrum around which everything moves, but is this really the sort of role she wants to play? The other performances are more than acceptable, but I won't be rushing to see it again.

Centered around a couples divorce is the possibility that their son is a portal for a poltergeist. Focusing on this issue, is the plot for this made for TV movie. The acting is average and the writing is decent. The movie is interesting enough to hold your attention. It builds the suspense as each supernatural event climaxes at a more disturbing level.