Mauvaises Intentions

DISTANT COUSINS is a generally unknown addition to the wave of psycho-thriller movies that came out in the early 1990s. This one's about an evil cousin, as you'd guess from the title, but I was surprised to discover it as I'd never heard of it before. I soon found out why: this is a lacklustre addition to that sub-genre, one which never manages to be suspenseful despite the premise.

It doesn't help that the villainous characters here, played by David Keith and Marg Helgenberger, aren't even remotely frightening or threatening. They're merely trailer trash, and annoying to watch. The acting isn't really at fault - Keith is reliable, and it's fun to watch Helgenberger cast against type as a villain - but their characters just have no depth to them, which makes them lifeless.

Unfortunately, the married duo who have to put up with the scheming and backstabbing are equally dull, especially nice guy William Katt (CARRIE). Their bratty kid gets too much screen time, and the second half of the film in particular is unbelievable and just feels dragged out. The climax is as dull and predictable as the rest of this stale movie.

I had nothing to do during a raining Sunday, so I watched this abomination. It was either this or figure skating, so I decided this would cause less suffering. I was wrong.

This follows the "Lets kidnap someone and assume their identities" plot line. Of course if it had a good script it could have been more interesting, but noooooooo. It was a stupid unbelievable story full of holes and mindless violence. The acting was not that great, or maybe they were just there for the paychecks. Mel Harris and William Katt were alright, but David "Hotstud" Keith and Marge "I think I'm the best actress that ever lived" Helgenberger overacted like crazy. The scene when the two were trying to get the kid to forget about his parents and enjoy being with them was almost sick. Marge was practically molesting the kid!

If you see this movie on, MOVE ON!!