ECHOES (aka: LIVING NIGHTMARE) (director: Arthur A. Seidelman; screenwriters: Richard Anthony/Richard Alfieri; cinematographer: Hanania Baer; editor: Dan Perry; music: Stephen Schwartz; cast: Richard Alfieri(Michael Durant/Dream Michael), Gale Sondergaard (Mrs. Edmunds), Ruth Roman (Michael’s Mother), Mike Kellin (Sid Berman), Mercedes McCambridge (Lillian Gerben), Nathalie Nell (Christine), John Spencer (Stephen), Leonard Crofoot (Danny); Runtime: 89; MPAA Rating: R; producers: Valerie Y Bolsky/George R Nice; VidAmerica; 1982)
“Even an engrossing Freudian premise and fine acting can’t save this ghost story from dying.”
Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz
Even an engrossing Freudian premise and fine acting can’t save this ghost story from dying. Arthur A. Seidelman (“The Runaway”/”The Sisters”/”A Christmas Carol“) directs. It’s written by Richard Anthony and Richard Alfieri.
The young art student in New York City Michael Durant (Richard Alfieri) dreams his twin brother–who died from a miscarriage before birth–is evil and is planning to kill him and possess his body. Michael‘s ballet dancer girlfriend Christine (Nathalie Nell) supports him in his plight, as do the following elderly ladies Ruth Roman, Gale Sondergaard and Mercedes McCambridge. This was McCambridge‘s last role, as she plays the owner of an art-gallery. Sondergaard, also in her last role, plays a psychiatrist. Ruth Roman play’s Michael’s mother.
That the artist is rude to those that help, makes us care little about his psychological ordeal. In any case, it remains uninspiring as it turns into an overwrought psychological melodrama that can’t maintain any suspense since nothing of importance happens.
REVIEWED ON 4/15/2015 GRADE: C+
Dennis Schwartz: “Ozus’ World Movie Reviews”
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