Watch The Maddening For Free

The Worst Film Ever

Excellent but underrated film

Absolutely Fantastic

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

Burt Reynolds as a psycho... definitely had me interested when I came across this one on late- night cable TV. I should have known that like most of everything Burt Reynoolds has made in the last 20 years or so, this one is very high on camp and pretty low on quality. I was even more surprised to see that it was directed by Danny Huston, who has since gone on to do some excellent acting work in some very acclaimed films. I guess The Maddening was a low point for both him and Burt... check it out only if you dare. Kind of reminded me of the B-movie classic The Stepfather, except this one is even lower in production value.

I first saw this film in '96 shortly after it came out. My then-bf's dad rented it cause it was a thriller. Back then I didn't know what an Indie film was. Regardless, this one shines a very different light on Reynolds' talent. From the stereotype ladies-man, machoism his fans have long known him for, he takes a few steps back here to a darker, more sinister role (less, later on as 'Boss Hogg'). He starts out as the hunky car mechanic..... coming to the aid and rescue of Mia Sara and daughter. But obviously somethings not all there when he cons an engine prob, offering Sara a call from his own house. Only to "kidnap" her and her young daughter to become companion and house slave to his demented wife (Dickinson). Creepy. There are several moments of ill-found passion where he bullies Sara, and at one time, nearly rapes her, only due to the ghost of his wheelchair-bound demented father....and a hidden, grotesque family secret.....revealed in all hellishness at the end.A must see.

The Maddening is a trashy, low-budget flick with a "big" star. I couldn't figure out why Burt Reynolds would appear in something like this, especially since he's always seemed so vain, I didn't think he'd have it in him to play a "bad guy." Looking back, this was made around the time of his divorce from Loni Anderson and the cancellation of his TV Show, so his star was definitely on the decline at the time. Maybe he needed the money to pay for lawyers? That being said, Burt is one of the few really good things in this film. His understated performance and on-screen charisma kept me watching even when the story and terribly pacing made me want to turn it off.Unfortunately there's only so much that actors can do with material. This film is paced so poorly, and the story is so one-dimensional (just waiting for all of the characters to converge for the final show-down) that there's little the actors can do to help.

This film was Fantastic, its my favorite film of all time, I am the worlds biggest Burt Reynolds Fan and I thought he played this part superbly.You don't often see him in this sort of role which is what makes this movie so good, its got to be the best thriller I've ever seen in my life, Mia Sara Also did a very good job in her role and well done to Angie Dickenson. This is truly a film worth having on your DVD shelf.This film has inspired me to write a lot of good thriller scripts myself. Sean you understand ;)10 out of 10.