The cute and appealing Susan Penhaligon ("The Land That Time Forgot") plays Kathy Jacquard, a young woman returning to work as a nurse. She comes to a private hospital where the title character (Robert Thompson, "Thirst") has been in a coma for three years. (He'd murdered his trampy mother and a lover of hers, before lapsing into his current state.) Despite misgivings from her boss (Robert Helpmann, "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang") and supervisor (Julia Blake, "X-Men Origins: Wolverine"), she finds herself attached to Patrick, and reaching out to him. Soon it becomes apparent that he CAN sense her presence, and has fallen in love with her. However, he has incredibly powerful psychokinetic powers that constantly manifest themselves in and outside the hospital.
"Patrick" isn't without some flaws, but overall it emerges as an interesting and largely absorbing story with some bonkers moments. Obviously it's done on some sort of budget, keeping special effects to a minimum and mostly concentrating on plot and performance. Since it runs an hour and 53 minutes in its most complete version, it's too drawn out to be totally effective, not always staying on point. Some viewers can describe it as "cheesy" or "tacky", but it does succeed at being creepy often enough to overlook its lesser aspects. One element that stuck in this viewers' head for years is the way that Patrick makes spitting sounds - once for yes, twice for no - when acknowledging Kathy's questions.
Much effectiveness is due to Thompson, in his film debut. He has the hardest job among the cast, having to lie there for most of the films' duration and not react to other actors in the room. He certainly has a look that helps to make him quite memorable.
But the whole cast is fine: Ms. Penhaligon, Mr. Helpmann, Ms. Blake, Rod Mullinar as Kathy's amiable estranged husband Ed, Bruce Barry as inquisitive doctor Brian Wright, Helen Hemingway as Kathy's co-worker Sister Williams, Maria Mercedes as a high strung nurse, Walter Pym as aged and senile Captain Fraser, and Frank Wilson as a detective.
The film further benefits from impressive camera work and capable direction by Hitchcock protege Richard Franklin, who as we all know went on to make the surprisingly worthy first sequel to "Psycho". And it can boast another lovely music score by that great Aussie composer Brian May.
Even if you're not overly impressed with the film in general, you will want to stick it out for THAT ending.
Seven out of 10.
"Patrick" isn't without some flaws, but overall it emerges as an interesting and largely absorbing story with some bonkers moments. Obviously it's done on some sort of budget, keeping special effects to a minimum and mostly concentrating on plot and performance. Since it runs an hour and 53 minutes in its most complete version, it's too drawn out to be totally effective, not always staying on point. Some viewers can describe it as "cheesy" or "tacky", but it does succeed at being creepy often enough to overlook its lesser aspects. One element that stuck in this viewers' head for years is the way that Patrick makes spitting sounds - once for yes, twice for no - when acknowledging Kathy's questions.
Much effectiveness is due to Thompson, in his film debut. He has the hardest job among the cast, having to lie there for most of the films' duration and not react to other actors in the room. He certainly has a look that helps to make him quite memorable.
But the whole cast is fine: Ms. Penhaligon, Mr. Helpmann, Ms. Blake, Rod Mullinar as Kathy's amiable estranged husband Ed, Bruce Barry as inquisitive doctor Brian Wright, Helen Hemingway as Kathy's co-worker Sister Williams, Maria Mercedes as a high strung nurse, Walter Pym as aged and senile Captain Fraser, and Frank Wilson as a detective.
The film further benefits from impressive camera work and capable direction by Hitchcock protege Richard Franklin, who as we all know went on to make the surprisingly worthy first sequel to "Psycho". And it can boast another lovely music score by that great Aussie composer Brian May.
Even if you're not overly impressed with the film in general, you will want to stick it out for THAT ending.
Seven out of 10.