Disturbing Behaviour (1998)
"Disturbing Behavior" (original title)

The new kid in town stumbles across something sinister about the town's method of transforming its unruly teens into upstanding citizens.

Director:

David Nutter

Writer:

Scott Rosenberg

Stars:

James Marsden, Katie Holmes, Tobias Mehler

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Marsden	...	Steve Clark
Katie Holmes	...	Rachel Wagner
Tobias Mehler	...	Andy Effkin
Nick Stahl	...	Gavin Strick
Steve Railsback	...	Officer Cox
Bruce Greenwood	...	Dr. Edgar Caldicott
Katharine Isabelle	...	Lindsay Clark
William Sadler	...	Dorian Newberry
Ethan Embry	...	Allen Clark
Terry David Mulligan	...	Nathan Clark
Susan Hogan	...	Cynthia Clark
A.J. Buckley	...	Charles 'Chug' Roman
Robert Moloney	...	Ferry Guy
Derek Hamilton	...	Trent Whalen
Dan Zukovic	...	Mr. Rooney

Storyline

After the suicide of the teenager Allen Clark, his family decides to move from Chicago to the quiet Cradle Bay Island seeking a peaceful life for the siblings Steve and Lindsay Clark. When Steve joins the local high-school, the outcast Gavin Strick befriends Steve and introduces his also rejected friend Rachel Wagner to the newcomer. Gavin exposes to Steve in the refectory the punks, the nerds and the different tribes of the school and he defends the weird theory that a sinister force changes the behavior of the annoyingly perfect "Blue Ribbons", a group of good students that wear identical jackets and gather in the Yogurt Shoppe. Further he tells that he had witnessed the blue ribbon Andy Efkin killing their schoolmate Mary Jo that is missing and the local Officer Cox covering the murder. Steve does not believe on Gavin words, but when his friend is submitted to the treatment of Dr. Edgar Caldicott and immediately changes his behavior, joining the Blue Ribbons, Steve and Rachel ...

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Plot Keywords:

high school | jock | blue ribbon | jacket | teen | 

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Taglines:

In Cradle Bay... there's nothing more frightening than perfection.

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Genres:

Horror | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence, sexuality, language, and drug content

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

Australia USA Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 July 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Perturbados

Filming Locations:

Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$7,070,714 (USA) (24 July 1998)

Gross:

$17,411,331 (USA) (25 September 1998)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Village Roadshow Pictures, Hoyts Film Partnership

Technical Specs

Runtime:

84 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dorian Newberry has a copy of "Slaughterhouse 5" by Kurt Vonnegut in his pocket. In Vonnegut's short story "Harrison Bergeron", the plot involves mind control in the form of head bands to obtain equality.

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Goofs

When Gavin leaves the building after seeing his parents want him go join the club. He is walking on a log and talking but his mouth does not move.

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Quotes

[after begging that the family should head back to Chicago, Dr. Caldicott steps inside the Clark Family house]
Dr. Edgar Caldicott: Steven, you ARE home. Cradle Bay is where you belong, here with your family.
Steve Clark: You signed me up for the program?
Cynthia Clark: We want what's best for you.
Steve Clark: [screaming] WHAT ABOUT WHAT I WANT?
Dr. Edgar Caldicott: Steven, do you think your really happy...
Steve Clark: Oh, shut the up! You sold me out.

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Crazy Credits

Voices at the end of the credits say Main Commands of Dr. Caldicott's Program: "Let the light get into you... yes, slowly". BETTY CALDICOTT: "Meet the musical creatures that hide in the flowers". LORNA LONGLEY: "Treat yourself".

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Connections

References A Clockwork Orange (1971)

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Soundtracks

"Ever She Flows"
Written by Treble Charger
Performed by Treble Charger
Courtesy of The RCA Records Label of BMG Entertainment

User Reviews

stepford children on acid

This is basically a modern take on the Sepford children but with added sexual content and more graphic detail. The premise is this.After the death of his brother ,young teen Steven Clark, played by James Marsden, X Men,moves to the seemingly innocent town of Cradle Bay with his family.At first everything seems normal.The children are typical teens but when they get a red light in their eyes they become totally different. Steven makes friends with a weird group of outsiders including Katie Holmes who warn him that something is going on.He remains sceptical till he gets beaten up by a group of the teens and realises that something is terribly wrong. In this film you are never quite sure who is what and look out for the seemingly retarded janitor whose role is pivotal in the outcome of the movie. This film reminded me of the film The Faculty in many respects but wasn't as good. I saw this at 9.00 on channel 5 so it was probably cut but it still an enjoyable romp into the world of mind control and the scene in the hospital sticks in the memory. The cast did well but William sadler, as the janitor, did especially well and James Marsden and Katie Holmes show good chemistry. This film is not in my top ten fave movies but good for an hour and a half of escapism. Good film but the twist can be seen a mile away. My score 8/10