Disturbing Behavior
DISTURBING BEHAVIOR is a film comprised of a whole different other films. Period. That's all it really is, and yet, it works. A psychological thriller is not what I expected from this movie, but that's what I got. And more interestingly, the story is based on everyone's perceptions of high school students. Terrifying premises can easily be lost with poor execution. But the film has an "X-Files" feel to it, and it's not hard to see why. The director is one of the many who bring their talent to the Fox television show every week.
Psychological thrillers come in all shapes these days, but few actually get them right. Many call themselves psychological, but they never have anything in them to attain that level. The psychological thriller is one of my most cherished genres, and it's literally devoid of films. There are a few, but for the most part, it's empty. Hitchcock was a great director for those types of films, and the recent David Fincher is well on his way to being our generation's Hitchcock. Both Seven and The Game are psychologically-probing, and by the end of each, we sit back in our seats and go, "Wow!"
But DISTURBING BEHAVIOR doesn't quite achieve the "Wow!" or at least from me it doesn't. Opening with a Seven-ish style credit sequence (ever since that 1995 film, many films have been employing it). However, this opening sequence contains a symbolic and metaphorical meaning that many may miss. A shining beam of light glares through the screen, showing off the names of the actors. But then the light flashes quickly into a hideous creature. It sums up the film extremely nicely, and I wonder why more directors don't employ this type of foreshadowing.
After this sequence, the film jumps to a start with a sex scene. I know this may sound inappropriate, but what comes next has a shocking effect that made many people gasp in my theater. In a Village of the Damned-type moment, the man's eyes glow and some surprising things occur. All of this is being watched by Gavin (Nick Stahl), an outcast at his own high school. His best friend is Rachel (Katie Holmes), a Gothic chick who is considered a whore. And then Steve Clark (Jimmy Marsden) moves in. Steve is coming from a town of bad memories where his family experienced the lost of Steve's brother. His father doesn't like to talk about it, and Steve is depressed. At school, he befriends Gavin and gets the lecture on the school's class system.
In one of the finest monologues ever written for a film of this sort, Gavin gives a summation of the cliques and stereotypes that ring true. Many critics are bound to call this film "stereotypical," but I remember my high school years, and they were almost exactly like this. However, there is something wrong in the city of Cradle Bay, a seemingly perfect town where class is ruled by who dresses the best. In high school, the rulers are the preps, or "Blue Ribbons." They have bake sales, they help the elderly and mental challenged, etc. Usual "goodie-goodie" things. However, this is not your ordinary satire on high school life. An evil twist is included that will make high school outcasts revel in the glorious deconstruction of what makes those damn snobs so cheerful and bright.
The film proceeds in a straight-forward fashion, giving us a quick set up and then launching into the menacing plot. Steve isn't sure what to make of the Blue Ribbons, but he likes them... from afar. However, after meeting with them, he notices that all of them seem to have some hidden agenda. Gavin is afraid of them, but he keeps his distance and watches with fascination. In his mind, a secret mind-control game is occurring, and he's not that far off. In reality, the Blue Ribbons are a bunch of rebels who have been changed via mind-controlling chips placed in the eye of the individual. However, sometimes those chips conflict with outbursts of sexual hormones. Whenever one of them gets aroused, they go bezerk. It's an unusual premise, but it's effective nonetheless.
In the meantime, Steve and Rachel begin a friendship that Steve hopes will grow into something more. Rachel isn't quite as motivated. She mostly thinks of him as a friend. But after several situations occur, it's more than obvious they will get together. But this is all merely side-matter for the sardonic wit and satire that serves as the main plot. Commentary on high school life is not an original subject matter, but the way this film handles it is eerie and scary. Everything you saw in Can't Hardly Wait is given a twist that is much more entertaining and interesting than anything in that film. By the end of the film, we really care for our heroes. And while the climax is a little disappointing, it's unsettling nonetheless.
The film's cast is mostly comprised of new faces, mostly to lower the budget and get fans of the shows into the theaters. I doubt it will work due to the lack of advertising done. James Marsden has the look of a major star, and I am certain that he will attain that sooner or later. His performance is adequate enough to sustain the film, but he reactions to everything are well-suited. In essence, he's our moral guide to the film. Katie Holmes (last seen in the chilling The Ice Storm and mostly known for TV's Dawson Creek) does a very good job as Rachel. Her pain is shown on her face, and the torture she must get everyday due to her rebelliousness is subtle. But, the scene-stealer is Nick Stahl, a young actor who will become a major character actor in the near future. His performance is eerie and unobtrusive. We really do care for him because of Stahl. It won't receive an Oscar nomination, but it's a very good performance. He will be appearing in the upcoming The Thin Red Line and I can't wait. In a smaller role, Bruce Greenwood is wildly crazy as the professor who knows how to fix all the rebels. For the most part, the rest of the cast is unimportant. One noteworthy exception: Steve Railsback, who appeared in the "Duane Berry" episode of The X-Files (yeah, the lightning kid). The three leads handle the material quite well. Also in the mix is a crazy janitor, a pigmentally-challenged (Powder?) rebel, and a psycho-jock. A character study? Yes.
Director David Nutter is mostly known for his work with The X-Files. However, his uses of style fits perfectly. He uses shadows effectively, and maintains a steady tone through. Many people are confusing this as a Scream-type film, but it's not. It's not a slasher film, but a thriller/horror movie. Part Village of the Damned, part Stepford Wives, part [insert thriller/horror film here]. In other words, it's mostly just a reprise of other films. And it all works out surprisingly well. Of course, the wrong things of the film are mostly due to the writing by Scott Rosenberg. His dialogue is smart and witty, but his plot is an incohesive mess. Mark Snow's music is suitably frightening, and the cinematography employs a lot of X-Files mood. It's no where near a great film, but for the summer, it's nice to see something with a little intelligence (which we have been seeing much more of during the summer season of 1998).
DISTURBING BEHAVIOR is rated R for some disturbing violence, language, frightening premises, and nudity. This film scared me... it scared me in a way that Scream didn't. Scream employed those "jump" moments we all know and love, but this one uses psychological ideas that get inside your head and scare you. With a stunning ending that involves a car and the students, we have a nice closure which will ensure no sequels (Thank God for that). While cheesy at times, the film balances with good performances and imaginative ideas. Wait a second... didn't I just say that? Oh well, that's what this movie makes you feel. You have seen it hundreds of times, but it's almost always good.