Sep 09 2008
To See is To Unsee
The Unseen (1980) *** - Extremely solid 80’s incest themed horror that has been largely overlooked for the last two decades is not getting its due thanks to the new double disc DVD from Code Red . The film follows a trio of women led by Barbara Bach (From The Spy Who Loved Me, who has gorgeous lips and the coldest eyes I’ve ever seen) who are in a small California town for a festival. They end up staying at the rustic home of the eccentric Sidney Lassick and his wife because there are no hotels available. Soon the girls are being pulled into the heating vents and killed one by one. *** SPOILERS AHEAD*** Because it turns out the offspring of the couples incestuous relationship has been kept in the basement all these years and he is crawling through the house using the heating ducts. The final act is as much soap opera as horror movie as all the dirty secrets of the house come to the for front with Junior taking front and center stage. As played by comedic actor Stephen Furst, Junior is a terrific creation; hideous looking, spastic, but actually quite gentil and lovable in his own way. He’s clearly just a big kid stuck in a dirty grown man’s body. Furst studied people with Down Syndrome to get the performance right and it pays off giving the character a much needed humanity. But the movie also has some other things going for it too such as some commentary ..ion and family units. Seems that the brother/sister team that spawned junior were never given the option to abort the child, while our heroine has gotten an abortion without telling her boyfriend which has lead to the collapse of their relationship (among other problems). The comparison doesn’t make for easy answers, but does make for food for thought. The movie, whil enever a gorefest, is always smartly directed and beautifully shot. Though the transfer on the Code Red DVD has some problems with the contrast levels going in and out periodically. This set has tons of extras including on camera interviews with Furst who has fond memories of the movie, Craig Reardon who did the make up, and Thomas Burman who wrote the initial movie but quite the production and does not have fond memories. There is also a commentary from the producer and Stephen Furst, but they talk more about other movies they have done than this one. There is also the reel of trailers for other Code Red releases (man I am stoked for The Farmer!). The only negative thing I can say about The Unseen is that there is a moment about a half hour in where we get a large chunk of the back story that uses a cinematic device that feels rather forced and awkward. Otherwise this is a mini classic of the 80’s and comes highly recommended.
16:10:45 2008-09-09
Andy C
