The Fan

Director: Edward Bianchi Edward Bianchi

Overview

In this thrilling adaptation of the story by Bob Randall, Broadway star Sally Ross (Lauren Bacall) is worshipped by ardent fan Douglas Breen (Michael Biehn). Breen's infatuation quickly turns into an obsession, and when his passionate letters receive no response, he snaps. His unrequited love fuels an intense hatred, setting Breen off on a killing spree.

Product Details

Release Date:	09/14/2021
UPC:	0810072545503
Original Release:	1981
Rating:	R
Source:	Paramount
Language:	English
Time:	1:34:00
Sales rank:	33,422

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Lauren Bacall	Sally Ross
Michael Biehn	Douglas Breen
James Garner	Jake Berman
Maureen Stapleton	Belle Goldman
Hector Elizondo	Ralph Andrews
Anna Maria Horsford	Emily Stolz
Kurt Johnson	David Branum
Feiga Martinez	Elsa
Reed Jones	Choreographer
Kaiulani Lee	Douglas' Sister
Charles Blackwell	John Vetta
Dwight Schultz	Director
Dana Delany	Saleswoman
Terence Marinan	Young Man in Bar
Lesley Rogers	Heidi
Parker McCormick	Hilda
Robert Weil	Pop
Ed Crowley	Caretaker
Gail Benedict	Assistant Choreographer
D. David Lewis	Pianist
Griffin Dunne	Production Assistant
Themi Sapountzakis	Markham
Jean De Baer	Stage Manager
Liz Smith	Herself
Rene Ceballos	Dancer
Clif DeRaita	Dancer
Edyie Fleming	Dancer
Linda Haberman	Dancer
Sergio Lopez-Cal	Dancer
Jamie Patterson	Dancer
Justin Ross	Dancer
Stephanie E. Williams	Dancer
Jim Wolfe	Dancer
Thomas Saccio	Prop Man
Victoria Vanderkloot	Pen Thief
James Ogden	Drummer
Terry DuHaime	Nurse
Donna Mitchell	Hostess
Hector Osorio	Doughnut Vendor
Lionel Pina	Customer
Miriam Phillips	Woman on Steps
Jack R. Marks	Doorman
George Peters	Doorman
Eric Van Valkenburg	Fan
Ann Pearl Gary	Fan
Madeline Moroff	Fan
Leo Schaff	Fan
Alixe Gordin	Actor
Pino Donaggio	Composer
Marvin Hamlisch	Composer

Technical Credits

Norman Wexler

John Hartwell

Diana Hammond

Priscilla Chapman

Edward Bianchi	Director
Kevin McCormick	Executive Producer
Robert Stigwood	Producer
Norman Wexler	Screenwriter
John Hartwell	Screenwriter
Diana Hammond	Screenwriter
Priscilla Chapman	Screenwriter
Alixe Gordin	Casting
Jim Lovelett	Stunts
Chris Newman	Sound/Sound Designer

Editorial Reviews

This big-budget attempt to combine suspense and show business commentary has plenty of gloss but lacks the inventive, substantial script necessary to make such an odd premise work. The Fan's biggest problem is its stylistic schizophrenia: the film's thrills are often diluted by the inordinate amount of time devoted to all the drama regarding Sally Ross's "comeback" and there is an overblown musical number near the end that virtually stops the film's momentum cold. Despite the stellar cast, The Fan is ultimately just another slasher movie - and a rather unpleasant one at that (there is one killing whose homoerotic subtext got the film in a lot of trouble with the gay community). In terms of storytelling, the script is riddled with plot holes and characters whose behavior defies common sense (i.e.: no one takes Douglas seriously until it is too late, despite an array of obvious warning signs). The cast gives the material their all but are limited by the paper-thin characterizations they have been given: Michael Biehn struggles gamely a villainous role that unfortunately degenerates into self-parody, Lauren Bacall is saddled with a 'grand dame' characterization that feels a few decades out of date and James Garner's role is so underwritten that he comes off as a non-entity. Director Edward Bianchi layers on plenty of visual style and creates some striking sequences in the process (a pool-set slashing is horrifying yet dazzlingly stylish, a la Brian DePalma) but can't overcome the derivative, confused script. As a result, The Fan can only be recommended to fans of unintentionally campy spectacles.