Disturbing Behavior Review

by "Berge Garabedian" (drsuess AT microtec DOT net)
March 24th, 1999
DISTURBING BEHAVIOR
RATING: 7 / 10 --> Good movie

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PLOT:
A group of high school kids suspect the grade's sharpest students, known as the Blue Ribbons, to be controlled or programmed from another source other than themselves. And as more and more students join the unique group, a couple of rebellious kids take on the task of getting to the bottom of this strange mystery.

CRITIQUE:
Creepy, escapist thrill-show, this movie takes elements from the STEPFORD WIVES and CLOCKWORK ORANGE (9/10), mixes in some hip, young stars, a rockin' soundtrack, and an interesting enough premise to fill its overly short 80 minute runtime. I haven't found myself thinking this much of late, but this is one film that could've used another 20 minutes of so, to further develop its interesting premise, and add onto its simple conclusion. It might've turned the movie into something more than what it is now, which is a decent thrill-ride, entertaining enough to enjoy, but shallow enough not to take too seriously. Do you have 80 minutes to give up in your life, to watch a dark, moody presentation shown over an alternative soundtrack, and Katie Holmes in many a tight top? If you do, then check this puppy out, otherwise, see one of the originals which I compared it to before, or better yet, check into another one of screenwriter Scott Rosenberg's creations via THINGS TO DO IN DENVER WHEN YOU'RE DEAD (7/10) or BEAUTIFUL GIRLS (8.5/10). Nick Stahl's performance as the paranoid pothead with the overly literate tongue was the only one to stick out in my mind (He went on to a bit part in Terrence Malick's THE THIN RED LINE (6.5/10).

Little Known Facts about this film and its stars:
Screenwriter Scott Rosenberg has a pen for the unique genres, as his first three screenplays comprised of a quirky crime flick a la THING TO DO IN DENVER WHEN YOU'RE DEAD, a romantic coming-of-adult-age drama, BEAUTIFUL GIRLS (8.5/10) and the summer action blockbuster, CONAIR (6.5/10), respectively.
The actor who plays the janitor in this film also played the role of the Grim Reaper in 1991's BILLS AND TED'S BOGUS JOURNEY. His name is William Sadler.

Review Date: February 7, 1999
Director: David Nutter
Writer: Scott Rosenberg
Producers: Armyan Bernstein and Jonathan Shestack Actors: Katie Holmes as Rachel Wagner, Jimmy Marsden as Steve Clark, Nick Stahl as Gavin Strick
Genre: Thriller
Year of Release: 1998

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(c) 1999 Berge Garabedian

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