When
the Bough Breaks (1993)
reviewed by Dragan Antulov
Spawned by the smashing success
of SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, genre of the serial killer film
proved to be one of the most enduring trends in the last decade. Multitude
of such projects, ranging from "high concept" Hollywood projects down
to low budget exploitation, offers wide range in quality. WHEN THE
BOUGH BREAKS is a relatively little known 1993 film, that tries,
less than other examples, to hide being inspired by Jonathan Demme's work.
Movie begins with horrible
discovery which indicates that the Texan town became target area for vicious
serial killer who dismembers little children. Swaggert (played
by Martin Sheen), chief of local police, reluctantly agrees to seek help
from Dr. Audrey MacLeah (Ally Walker), State-paid forensic psychologist
who should make profile of possible perpetrator. However, when MacLeah
tries to engage in investigation, she is faced with animosity of male
policemen, and Swaggert's lack of faith in her talents. Working
alone, she finds clues that connect the crimes with institutionalised
autistic child.
This film, written and directed
by Michael Cohn, at first glance, gives impression of being really cheap
knock-off of SILENCE OF THE LAMBS. That impression is, actually,
more to Michael Cohn's credit - he looked at Demme's work very hard, and
unlike many others, found out what had worked in SILENCE OF THE
LAMBS and what had not. So, this film, although shorter, although
less spectacular, is full of dark atmosphere and elements which, although
revolting, happen to be fascinating and leave strong impression.
Plot:
During a July 4th mardi gras in Houston, Texas, a pair of severed children's
hands are found having washed out of the sewers. It is the latest in a
series of killings in which one pair of children's hands have been found
every July 16th. Forensic profiler Audrey McLeah is sent to investigate.
She follows a lead, which takes her to Jordan Thomas, a teenager at a
local psychiatrist hospital who has been an elective mute since a child.
Every July 16th, his birthday, Jordan draws a pair of hands on the wall
of his cell. Audrey struggles to find a way to communicate with Jordan
and find the link between him, his dead twin sister and the killer.
When the Bough Breaks
owes an enormous debt of inspiration to The Silence of the Lambs
(1991). It is probably safe to say that without the success of Lambs,
then When the Bough Breaks would never have emerged. Despite such
Bough is surprisingly good - one may even hazard the heretical
suggestion that it is actually a far better film than the overrated The
Silence of the Lambs.
Its success is entirely due
to a stunning thriller plot. It is structured around the relationship
between Ally Walker and the autistic boy (actually played by a girl, Tara
Subkoff) and the provision of a series of eerie twists. Each of the twists
- the moment Ally Walker finds the word 'Mine' written on the wall; the
time Jordan starts mimicking Ally's voice with perfectly mimed
mouthed movements; the eerie scene where he writes that his name is Jennifer
Lynn Eben and that he is underground - all contain a genuinely spooky
thrill. The growing relationship between the two, triumphing in his speaking
for the first time, is conducted with enormous emotional power.
