Day 297 – In the Mouth of Madness

Movie Title: In the Mouth of Madness

First Watch / Repeat Viewing

Running Time: 1 hr. 35 min.

Rated: R

Who did I watch with?: Flying Solo

Where did I watch it?: Home

Review:

John Trent (Sam Neill) is an insurance investigator with a special talent for seeking out frauds. He has been hired to look into the disappearance of Sutter Cane. Sutter Cane is the world’s greatest horror novelist and he is well overdue on delivery for his latest novel. He is also a combination of H.P. Lovecraft and Stephen King. The novel’s publisher has filed for damages to their brand that will cost the insurance company millions. Trent is supposed to resolve the situation by figuring out what kind of publicity stunt the publisher is up too.

Trent gets a lead on Cane’s possible location from studying his book covers that when examined indicate that the fictional town of Hobb’s End referenced repeatedly by Trent is located in New Hampshire. He also starts to have horrible dreams that move into the daylight. Trent and Linda Styles (Julie Carmen) an employee of the publishing house go to try and find Cane. They drive through the night and mysteriously end up in the town of Hobb’s End by crossing a mystical covered bridge.

Upon arriving in the town they realize that they are now inside a story from the disturbed mind of Sutter Cane. Neill is great as the skeptical leading man that slowly loses his marbles. Jurgen Prochnow and Charlton Heston are great in their minor roles. Frances Bay also has a small turn as the local inn keeper. It also features a very young Hayden Christensen in a small role.

Verdict:

It is a surreal movie with sterling performances. See it.

Tomorrow’s Movie: Scream 2 (1997)