The Alarmist (1997)
"Life During Wartime" (original title)

Young Tommy Hudler decides to become a security systems salesman, and is an instant success. Everything seems to be going great until he discovers there's more to this business and his boss... See full summary »

Director:

Evan Dunsky

Writers:

Keith Reddin (play), Evan Dunsky (screenplay)

Stars:

David Arquette, Stanley Tucci, Kate Capshaw

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
David Arquette	...	Tommy Hudler
Stanley Tucci	...	Heinrich Grigoris
Kate Capshaw	...	Gale Ancona
Mary McCormack	...	Sally
Ryan Reynolds	...	Howard Ancona
Tricia Vessey	...	April Brody
Ruth Miller	...	Mrs. Fielding
Hoke Howell	...	Mr. Fielding
Michael Learned	...	Beth Hudler
Lewis Arquette	...	Bruce Hudler
Richmond Arquette	...	Andrew Hudler
Gabriel Dell Jr.	...	Skippy Hudler
Valerie Long	...	Doris
Kim Tobin	...	Bambi
Colin Campbell	...	Waiter

Storyline

Young Tommy Hudler decides to become a security systems salesman, and is an instant success. Everything seems to be going great until he discovers there's more to this business and his boss Heinrich than he previously suspected.

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Plot Keywords:

oral sex | satire | black comedy | independent film | based on play

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Taglines:

Don't be alarmed... they're professionals.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality and language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 October 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Alarmist

Filming Locations:

Boardner's of Hollywood - 1652 North Cherokee Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$7,787 (USA) (16 October 1998)

Gross:

$55,986 (USA) (13 November 1998)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bandeira Entertainment, Dan Stone, Flynn-Simchowitz, Key Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Episode dated 24 October 1998 (1998)

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Soundtracks

"Sleepwalk"
(2 versions)

User Reviews

great

Loved it. Someone said the mark of a great mind is the capacity to hold two contradictory ideas in mind at the same time. It seems easiest for modern filmmakers to create a vision of humanity that is cynical/chilling or impossibly naive. I believe this film shares with Atom Egoyan's films, Milos Forman's late work, Sofia Coppola's Virgin Suicides and others, an essentially gentle but unclouded gentle view of humanity. From that, all things are possible: good satire, worthwhile commentary on the human condition, truly sexy scenes, all of which this film has. Consider the sex scene, once shocking, now a mainstay. When a film becomes trapped in either cynicism/dark brooding on one hand, or impossible romantic naivete on the other, it can no longer do anything but turn up the heat on accepted conventions. This film is not trapped in any such way. (See the scene in the kitchen when young Howard walks into the kitchen.)