Although she enjoyed the reputation of an undisputed sex symbols of 1970s, Farrah Fawcett was often perceived as nothing more than a pretty face suitable for light-hearted entertainment like Charlie’s Angels. Because of that she often struggled to be taken seriously as an actress. In 1980s she took some drastic steps to change that with the roles in projects with rather dark subjects and characters with unglamorous look. One such project was celebrated television film The Burning Bed and another was Extremities, William Mastrosimone’s stage play known for its violent content that sometimes led to cast being actually injured during the performances. In 1986 Fawcett starred in its film adaptation directed by Robert M. Young.
Fawcett plays Marjorie, attractive woman who shares her Los Angeles home with room mates Pat (played by Alfre Woodard) and Terry (played by Diana Scarwid). One night in her car she gets assaulted by masked man with a knife who wants to rape her. She manages to escape, but attacker gets in possession of her purse and wallet, thus discovering her address. Marjorie reports the incident to police, but it becomes obvious that they can’t do anything without physical evidence or identifiable suspect. Marjorie fears that the attacker would strike again and this is what happens when she is alone in the house. A man calling himself Joe (played by James Russo) enters and starts threatening and physically abusing her. Through some luck Marjorie manages to temporary incapacitate Joe and restrain him, after which she begins physically assaulting him in return. Her actions are interrupted with an arrival of her friends who, to their horror, discover that Marjorie doesn’t want to call police and instead wants to deliver her own brand of justice, making them potentially witnesses or accessories to murder.
Robert M. Young, director known mostly for independent dramas, does decent job. Mastrosimone’s script has enhanced his original play by adding few scenes in the beginning which explain why Marjorie is physically fit enough to fight the rapist, as well as her motives in taking the justice in her hands. The cast also does very good job, which is not that surprising, considering that both Fawcett and James Russo - who in many ways looks like young Marlon Brando in A Streetcar Named Desire -had played their respective roles in stage version. Diana Scarwid as panicky friend is also good, as well as Alfre Woodard as friend who tries to do the right thing. Yet, despite such good performances and provocative subject, Extremities failed to win the critics. Reason can be found in too much tonal shifts and pacing issues. Film starts as regular (and at times quite disturbing) home invasion thriller, but before the actual action there are simply too many scenes that do little but waste time. In the second half, tables are turned and this becomes rape and revenge film only to turn into somewhat generic but somewhat predictable drama near the end, when three friends decide on Joe’s fate. This part is shortest and poorly written and in many ways the actual finale is non-cathartic. Another issue is poor soundtrack by J.A.C. Redford, which make Extremities resemble cheap television film; thing that should compensate that effect is nudity, but it appears only in a brief scene featuring obvious body double. Despite that flaws and theme that might too disturbing for more sensitive segment of the audience, Extremities can be recommended to those who enjoy strong acting performances.
RATING: 5/10 (++)
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