When A Stranger Calls (1979) (Movie Review)

When A Stranger Calls (1979) Acting was invented in 1680. But Carol Kane looks like she’s still in 1679 ;-P Well, at the same time, she was great in later fantasy comedies such as Addams Family 1 & 2 (1991 & 1993) and Scrooged (1988). That didn’t stop her from playing in the very bad Even Cowgirls get the Blues (1993) the same year as the second Addams Family!

Anyway… I saw the 2006 remake and liked it as much as I didn’t like the original. Simon West had the good idea not to make a real remake, but to make a film using only the first twenty minutes. Obviously, this must have displeased all those who hate West. I remember that when Expendables 2 had some success, one guy wrote: ‘I didn’t become a film journalist so that crap like Simon West could end up at the top of the sales charts or the top of the best film lists!’ What a fellow who exudes joie de vivre!!!!

The 2006 remake was with the excellent Camilla Belle (at least in this film, because I’m not always mega-fan of her). Tessa Thompson was also in the cast. This film, from 79, is slow, boring and unrealistic. What woman leaves her front door wide open when the man who’s been stalking her walks in uninvited? I’m sure that even back then it wasn’t done. And even then, if that’s all it was! The dialogue is insipid and the actors are almost all bad. It seems that only the Blacks play well in this film, and there are only two of them. In short, this film is useless, but it was necessary for the creation of its pseudo-remake. The beginning isn’t too bad and there’s something interesting at the end… even if Kane’s acting is almost unbearable in those two moments. 1,5

My Rating