The first in an ongoing series of reviews of 80s horror films, my first is a look at 1982 'slasher' film Visiting Hours. A film whcih briefly appeared on the infamous 'Video Nasty' list in this country.
Lee Grant plays Deborah Ballin a controversial TV host who defends the rights of battered women - one in particular who killed her husband in self defence. This attracts the very unwanted attention of Colt Hawker (Michael Ironside) who attacks Ballin in her home. Not getting the job done, Hawker follows her to the hospital where she is staying to finish the job.
At times Visiting Hours rises above the usual mindless slasher fare of the time. But every time it starts to make headway, it shoots itself in the foot - the question of self defence with abusive husbands is skated around briefly several times in the film but it is never addressed properly, Colt Hawker is given a back story to explain his deranged ways but it never gets past much more than his Mum through a pan of chip fat at his Dad's face once.
William Shatner also appears in a much smaller appearance than any advertising for the film makes out as Ballin's producer. Again the film does it again - it's never stated what his character is to Ballin. A producer? A lover?
On the plus side Ironside is extremely creepy as the serial killer, it's just a shame he isn't in a better, or more well written, film.
As for being a Video Nasty? Like films like The Exorcist you have a hard time seeing why in this day and age.
**
A unsettling performance from Michael Ironside beside, this reeks of wasted opportunities from start to finish.
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