The Ugly (1997)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

Scott Reynolds

Writer:

Scott Reynolds (writer)

Release Date:

1 May 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

The Ugly - It's not a pretty picture!

Plot:

A female psychologist wants to understand the minds of a confessed serial killer who spent the last five years in a mental hospital because of his state.

Plot Keywords:

Hospital | Serial Killer | Psychologist | Mental Hospital | Confession

Awards:

7 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Paolo Rotondo	...	Simon Cartwright
Paul Glover	...	Phillip
Christopher Graham	...	Robert (as Chris Graham)
Darien Takle	...	Marge
Rebecca Hobbs	...	Dr. Karen Schumaker
Roy Ward	...	Dr. Marlowe
Cath McWhirter	...	Helen Ann Millar
Carolyn Beaver	...	Helen's friend
Caelem Pope	...	Simon, aged 4
Jennifer Ward-Lealand	...	Evelyn Cartwright
Finn Johnsen	...	Future cop
Phillip Brown	...	Future cop
Tau Luke	...	Future cop
Tim Barlow	...	Police photographer
Sam Wallace	...	Simon, aged 13

MPAA:

Rated R for gruesome gory murders, language and a scene of sexuality.

Runtime:

93 min | Australia:91 min | France:91 min | UK:91 min | Argentina:92 min

Country:

New Zealand

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:16 | New Zealand:R18 | Australia:R | Finland:K-16 | France:-16 | Germany:18 | South Korea:18 | UK:18 | USA:NC-17 (original rating) | USA:R | Argentina:13 | Germany:BPjM Restricted

Filming Locations:

Auckland, New Zealand

Company:

Essential Films

Quotes:

Simon Cartwright: [struggling against the handcuffs] Can we take these off? I haven't hurt anyone in six years.
Dr. Karen Shoemaker: It says here you attacked an orderly.
Simon Cartwright: He burnt me with a cigarette.
Dr. Karen Shoemaker: He's in a wheelchair now!

Movie Connections:

Featured in Boogeymen: The Killer Compilation (2001) (V)

Soundtrack:

FIVE WORD HEADLINE

masterful debut from New Zealand's Scott Reynolds

I am a big fan of director Scott Reynolds. With only three feature films to his credit (so far) he has proved himself to be a real talent to watch out for. THE UGLY is his first film, and for a debut, its a doozy. The plot is something that will sound very familiar to fans of the genre (outsider comes to institution to interview serial killer) but the story isn't really what THE UGLY is about. THE UGLY is about style--and by that i do not mean a berserk Tony Scott-like attack on your senses; no, Scott Reynolds knows that style is something that can't be forced.It must be married to the appropriate material; well, here all of the flash cuts and temporal dislocations are part and parcel of the serious mind-trippin' this film engages in. Some people have complained about several loose ends and ambiguities --are the Visitors real or only imaginary? and what is up with that creeeeeeepy doctor?--but I thought that added an extra layer of unease to the whole film; after watching it I find it staying with me.... poking around the edges of my consciousness.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.