Extemeties (1986)

Directed by: Robert M. Young

Starring: Farrah Fawcett, James Russo, Alfre Woodard and Diana Scarwid

Genre: Psychological Thriller, Drama

Rated: R

Based on the Off Broadway Play by William Mastrosimone

After Marjorie escapes an attempted rape and sexual assault, she turns to the police for help. When she learns there is nothing the police can do for her, she reluctantly returns home and lives in fear. Her assailant has her wallet and knows where she lives; he may come back and try again. Sure enough, he does, one day while she’s alone at home. Marjorie is able to turn the tables on her attacker, but then finds herself in a tight situation. Does she call the cops and risk him being allowed back on the streets or does she kill him and rid the world of a sexual predator?

It’s been a couple days since I watched this film and I’m still not quite sure how I feel about it. It had me pulled in different directions. On the one hand, I wanted her to take him out, when he was attacking her and dangerous. After he was restrained, I didn’t think killing him was necessary, but I was also afraid that the police wouldn’t do squat after she turned him over to them. Still, some of Marjorie’s actions rubbed me the wrong way.

I get that it was the point of the film – animalistic behavior begets animalistic behavior – but that didn’t mean I had to like her actions. I was rooting for her when she managed to flip the situation and incapacitate Joe (her attacker), but she progressively becomes more and more crazy. She refuses to go to the police because Joe has her convinced that it would be his word against hers and she wouldn’t have a case. She forces her roommates to go along with her psychotic ideas and threatens to kill Joe if they don’t help her. It’s one thing if you’re willing to go down with a possible murder charge, it’s quite another to drag your friends into it.

The acting in this film is solid. Farrah does a great job with the role, ranging from terrified to certifiably insane throughout the movie. Russo brings Joe to life as a believable sleazebag who can be both intimidating and vulnerable. The roommates were okay, but not outstanding.

The film definitely carries a lot of suspense, as the viewer is always wondering just what is going to happen between Marjorie and Joe. It feels claustrophobic in places, despite the fact that it takes place in a relatively large house for the majority of the runtime.

I thought the film was well-written with each character filling a specific role. Marjorie and Joe both display animalistic traits while her roommates Pat and Terry represent different view points on handling the situation. Terry just wants to stay out of it, while Pat wants to call the police and sort everything out the lawful way. Still, I don’t really understand what Terry’s revelation towards the end of the film has to do with anything. It was kind of jarring and could have been left out – I don’t think it did anything for her character.

Overall, this is a well-acted, well-written psychological thriller dealing with sexual assault and revenge. It’s tense, claustrophobic, and holds up well today. It’s not exactly a pleasant watch, and probably not a film to view multiple times, but it is worth it.

7/10