American Gothic Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

American Gothic Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 8, 2018

Slasher formula finds its way back into the woods for 1988’s “American Gothic,” which reunites hapless, inconsiderate outsiders and the mass murderers they often meet in the middle of nowhere. Writers Burt Wetanson and Michael Vines seem aware they aren’t working with the freshest of premises, so they try to up the mental illness factor of the material, endeavoring to merge real-world agony with B-movie shenanigans that result in a hefty body count. Surprises are limited in “American Gothic,” but the picture does have the advantage of a strong cast, with the agents of horror a familiar team of character actors in their golden years, enjoying a chance to menace the screen with thespian idiosyncrasies and veteran timing. The feature as a whole doesn’t wow or intimidate with any noticeable force, but director John Hough seems to understand what he’s working with, wisely putting emphasis on the most oddball and charismatic performers to get the effort all the way to an ending.

Cynthia (Sarah Torgov) has been released from a psychiatric hospital after a breakdown caused by the death of her baby, who drowned in a bathtub when she was distracted by a phone call. Hoping to provide a necessary getaway, her husband, Jeff (Mark Erickson), elects to take her to the wilds of Canada for some peace and quiet, joined by pals Terri (Caroline Barclay), Paul (Stephen Shellen), Rob (Mark Lindsay Chapman), and Lynn (Fiona Hutchison). Anticipating a fun weekend with friends, the journey is cut short by motor issues on the plane, with Jeff making an emergency stop near a remote island. Setting up camp for the night to make repairs, the gang is instead drawn to a nearby house, inhabited by Pa (Rod Steiger), Ma (Yvonne De Carlo), and their adult children, Fanny (Janet Wright), Woody (Michael J. Pollard), and Teddy (William Hootkins). Living a life that shuns the modern world, Ma and Pa welcome the gang into their museum-like home, and while the outsiders sample the shelter, it doesn’t take long for strange encounters to occur, putting the revelers in deep trouble with a family who gave up contact with reality long ago.

“American Gothic” doesn’t take the easy road when it comes to triggering viewer involvement, making a potentially disastrous creative choice by turning Cynthia into an emotional wreck, involved in the death of her only child. Because nothing enlivens rip-roaring slasher-style genre entertainment quite like a story that opens with the killing of a baby. The accident plays an important part in Cynthia’s arc of mental instability, but it doesn’t encourage the tone of horror escapism the production is clearly after, and “American Gothic” barely hangs on after bottoming out its lead character. However, to Hough’s credit, the picture isn’t buried alive by sadness, eventually returning to life once the twentysomethings meet up with the seventysomethings, establishing a game of wariness as both sides try to set the mood for the impromptu gathering inside an island house without electricity, heat, and a way to communicate with the outside world.

In a way, the younger characters are due for punishment, open to making a mess of the island house when they believe it’s uninhabited, while generally showing disrespect to their old-fashioned hosts, who believe in the “good book,” pushing their moral ways on the visitors. “American Gothic” exists in a gray area where everyone is a potential creep, keeping the movie on edge as Ma and Pa begin to plan out their punishment, while their children (little kids trapped in adult bodies) take on the arduous task of picking off the guests one at a time, using seemingly innocent contraptions such as a cliff side swing and a horse statue to slaughter the confused trespassers. Gore isn’t a priority for the production, with more attention placed on a toxic atmosphere of abuse, finding Ma and Pa presiding over a family of maniacs, including Fanny, who has a special secret she hopes to share with Cynthia, her ideal playmate. There’s a “Texas Chain Saw Massacre” vibe to “American Gothic,” and while the effort doesn’t become feral, it remains uneasy, enjoying the antics of the clan and their quest to slaughter those who don’t play along with their God-fearing, technology-shunning ways. Such “devil’s play” won’t be tolerated in the puritanical household, leading to taunts, chases, and for Teddy, a chance to satisfy his burning lust with a freshly murdered victim.

American Gothic Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is sourced from an older master of "American Gothic," keeping in line with other MGM catalog releases. Age is apparent but not overwhelming, with detail generally satisfactory throughout, picking up on island distances, horror house decoration, and facial particulars. Softness remains, but the essentials of the viewing experience are preserved. Colors are a bit muted, generally carrying a bloodless quality, with only costuming perking up the palette, and greenery is adequate. Skintones aren't precise, but remain in the realm of normal. Delineation holds steady, handling cellar encounters and evening chases. Source is in good shape, without any overt stretches of damage.

American Gothic Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix maintains consistency and clarity throughout the listening event. Dialogues exchanges are sharp and emotive, preserving performance choices with a pleasing range of hushed encounters and Steiger-led yelling matches, never slipping into distortive extremes. Scoring is strong and defined, with ideal instrumentation and volume, escalating suspense needs when called on to do so. Atmospherics satisfy, supplying a sense of the deep woods and coastline confrontations. Sound effects are crisp, adding to the feature's attempt at shock value.

American Gothic Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Interview (15:00, HD) with composer Alan Parker is a dry overview of his creative accomplishments, starting with his early years as a session musician, working with The Beatles and David Bowie. Parker details his professional relationship with Jerry Goldsmith, who offered mentorship as the aspiring composer began to build his career with television productions. The conversation switches to "American Gothic," exploring how Parker acquired the gig, finding the sound of the film, while the actual music was recorded in London, using one of Jimi Hendrix's guitars.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:38, HD) is included.

American Gothic Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"American Gothic" isn't brave, adhering to the trends of the day, keeping things fairly predictable for the first hour. The screenplay's move to pit insanity versus insanity for the final act is welcome, giving the feature a jolt of palatable ugliness that plays well into an overall arc of madness finding its rightful heir. Hough dreams up some symbolic imagery to secure a bit of artistry, but he's best with the cast, letting them roam free with this material, which doesn't ask for much more than thinly disguised hospitality and snarling threat born from bible study. Steiger and De Carlo are quite good in their respective roles, managing to create a presence in a production that doesn't demand much beyond basic emotional responses to grim events. "American Gothic" is engaging when coasting on thespian appeal, which gives a potentially undesirable plot some theatricality to help keep attention off the more unsavory aspects of the writing. Simple genre needs are met, weirdness is teased, and every now and then, Hough manages to capture the right amount of murderous lunacy.