Banter

Based on the 40s crime novel by John Franklin Bardin, this follows alcoholic exec Philip Banter (Scott Paulin) over a period of a few days. Banter's marriage to Elizabeth (Irene Miracle) is dissolving and his father-in-law (Tony Curtis) wants the dapper Bobby Prescott (Gregg Henry) to make the moves on his daughter. But what is disturbing Banter are a series of letters that tell him how his future will unfold that keep ending up on his desk daily. That is a pretty ingenious set up, but sadly the film doesn't live up its promise with a Scooby Doo type ending. Paulin is quite good in the lead role. Unfortunately, Curtis over acts so much that he pretty much exposes the movie's mystery. The film does benefit from some nice Spanish locations though.