IMDb > Backfire (1988)
Photos (see all 4 | slideshow)

Overview

User Rating:
5.4/10   199 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 51% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Larry Brand (writer)
Rebecca Reynolds (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for Backfire on IMDbPro.
Genre:
Tagline:
Before the night is over, someone will be rich, someone will be dead, someone will be avenged.
Plot:
Mara, the wife who wants more... Jake, the lover she wants more of... Donny, the husband the war almost destroyed... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
User Comments:
Under my thumb... or yours? more (4 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Karen Allen ... Mara McAndrew

Keith Carradine ... Reed
Jeff Fahey ... Donnie McAndrew
Bernie Casey ... Clinton James
Dean Paul Martin ... Jake
Virginia Capers ... Maxine
Philip Sterling ... Dr. Creason
Dinah Manoff ... Jill
Frances Flanagan ... Claire
Antony Holland ... Judge Hardin
Dwight Koss ... Deputy 'Buzz'
Gordon McIntosh ... Big George
Wendy Van Riesen ... Alice
Eric Schneider ... Dr. Cooper
Enid Saunders ... Aunt Elizabeth
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
Germany:88 min | UK:89 min | USA:90 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Sound Mix:

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
4 out of 5 people found the following comment useful.
Under my thumb... or yours?, 21 July 2007
7/10
Author: lost-in-limbo from the Mad Hatter's tea party.

Donny McAndrew a Vietnam veteran is haunted by the experience of the war, and his conditions seems to be getting worse. His wife Mara seems concerned, but there's something greedy about her intentions when one night Donny finally cracks.

Likable, slick mystery thriller that works due to it not overly being too clever, but managing to stay one step ahead in its jaded mix of stimulating seductiveness and growing psychological tension. The shady web of paranoia, passion, deceit and underlining guilt never lets story become too comfortable, despite its casual air and fundamental process. Larry Brand and Rebecca Reynolds' compact script plays more towards the taut drama and keeps to this trend, than anything involving charged thrills. But director Gilbert Gates doesn't discard this aspect, but delivers a pinch-full of jarring jolts to feed the story than to just shock. The film's slight conclusion makes sense and threw me off, but it seems vague to how it came to end with this payoff, especially after what came before it. I wouldn't be surprised if you find it simply plain answer. Gates' expertly handles the excursion with neat, and profitable precision. He peppers up a few atmospheric set pieces, but not in heavy doses. The flowing photography is sharply poised and an extremely effective music score is scorchingly bold. The performances of the three leads; the superbly sly Karen Allen, a wonderfully enigmatic Keith Carradine and Jeff Fahey's terrifically scarred Donny are engrossingly delivered. Dean Paul Martin, Bernie Casey and Dwight Koss provide fine support.

A well-devised and at times innovative film that kept me entertained, even with the structure's creeping ambiguity.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (4 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Backfire (1988)

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Last Seduction Lo strano vizio della Signora Wardh Body Heat Combat Shock Wait Until Dark
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
IMDb Mystery section IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.