Main Cast: Tim Matheson, Meg Tilly, Hume Cronyn, John Karlen, Bill Paxton
Release Year: 1984
Country: US
Run Time: 95 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
Bad behavior turns deadly in this science-fiction drama. Jennifer (Meg Tilly) is a woman who grew up in the small town of Sutcliffe, which much of her family still calls home. One day, Sutcliffe is hit with a minor earthquake, which doesn't appear to do much damage, but a strange and disquieting turn in the city's collective behavior soon becomes apparent. Jennifer receives a phone call from her mother (Lorinne Vozoff), but while they've always had a cordial relationship, her mother loudly and hysterically berates her, and the call comes to a disturbing conclusion when her mother shoots herself. Jennifer and her husband Stuart (Tim Matheson) rush to Sutcliffe to discover that her mother is seriously injured by still alive. However, it seems as if all boundaries of civility and etiquette have broken down, as violence, crime, and rabid anger rule the usually quiet streets of Sutcliffe. It seems that the earthquake caused the town's milk supply to be contaminated by toxic waste which has an unusual psychoactive effect -- it makes it impossible for people to resist the common anti-social impulses that all people have, but most keep closely in check. Hume Cronyn plays the town's doctor; Bill Paxton, Claude Earl Jones, and Amy Stryker also appear. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Review
This slow-burning thriller with science-fiction and horror overtones is compelling in its own creepy way. Impulse is effective because it doesn't rush viewers into shock situations or overload them with melodrama. Instead, it allows an underlying madness to slowly creep into the storyline, taking the situation (and the characters) apart from the inside. Even the revelation of what is causing the town's strange incident unfurls in a quiet manner that is all the more haunting for its matter-of-fact approach. Graham Baker's direction gives the story the understated approach it requires but also shows directorial flair when the events require it -- a great example is a setpiece with a car trapped in a flaming garage. He also gets strong performances from his cast: Tim Matheson is sympathetic even when madness is overtaking him, Meg Tilly makes a likeable and appealingly unconventional leading lady and Hume Cronyn is chilling as a doctor who quietly becomes a killer. To sum up, Impulse is an interesting little sleeper that is worthy of rediscovery for anyone who can appreciate a left-of-center approach to the thriller genre. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide
Amy Stryker - Margo; Claude Earl Jones - Sheriff; Abigail Booraem - Mrs. Ashley; Mary Celio - Mary Woodson; Christian Crane - Shawn; Charles Dorsett - Reverend; Chris Giannini - Jimmy; Anne Haney - Mrs. Piersall; Peter Jason - Man in Truck; Bernie Kuby - Mr. Bidemeyer; Hugo L. Stanger - Old Geraer; Sheri Stoner - Young Girl; Lorinne Vozoff - Mrs. Russell; Jack T. Collis - Mr. Anson; Robert Wightman - Howard; Gary Kirk - Plant Manager; Allan Graf - Deputy; Holgie Forrester - Teller; Thomas J. Sauber - Band Leader
Credit
Deborah Lucchessi - Casting, Beau Marks - First Assistant Director, Graham Baker - Director, David Holden - Editor, Paul Chihara - Composer (Music Score), Rick Sharp - Makeup, Henry M. Lebo - Camera Operator, Jack T. Collis - Production Designer, Thomas del Ruth - Cinematographer, Tim Zinnemann - Producer, Jim Duffy - Set Designer, Thomas Fisher - Special Effects, Bart Davis - Screenwriter, Don Carlos Dunaway - Screenwriter
