Panic ***½ (2000, William H Macy, Neve Campbell, John Ritter, Donald Sutherland, Tracey Ullman) – Classic Movie Review 1085

Writer-director Henry Bromell’s low-budget ($1 million) 2000 movie stars William H Macy as mournful married middle-aged hit-man Alex, who gets into a panic when he falls for 20something hair-stylist Sarah (Neve Campbell).

He goes into psychotherapy and tells the therapist (John Ritter) he’s a hit man and is attracted to the sexy, quick and edgy Sarah whom he’s met in the waiting room and who seems attracted to him.

In flashbacks, his father (Donald Sutherland) starts Alex off as a killer, and now the father gives Alex his next assignment – to kill the therapist. Alex, who has a six-year old son Sammy (David Dorfman), stalks Sarah, wondering what to do next.

It’s a very well-done, finely acted, carefully honed drama, with a guaranteed cast of acting favourites: Donald Sutherland, John Ritter, Tracey Ullman, Barbara Bain, Nick Cassavetes and Miguel Sandoval. And Macy is in his element.

William H Macy (born March 13 1950) was nominated for an Academy Award for his role as Jerry Lundegaard in Fargo. He’s married to actress Felicity Huffman.

Macy and Campbell starred together again in Walter (2015).

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© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Film Review 1085 derekwinnert.com