Society (1989)
1h 40m | PG-13
Bill Whitney is worried that he is different to his sister and parents. They mix with other upper-class people while Bill is more down to earth. Even his girlfriend seems a bit odd. All is revealed when Bill returns home to find a party in full swing.
Director: Brian Yuzna
Studio: Society Productions
Genre: Comedy, Horror, Mystery
Video: 720p
Cast
Billy Warlock
as Bill Whitney
Connie Danese
as Nan
Ben Slack
as Dr. Cleveland
Evan Richards
as Milo
Patrice Jennings
as Jenny Whitney
Tim Bartell
as David Blanchard
Reviews
**_The paranoia of “Rosemary’s Baby” mixed with the gross-out bits of “The Thing”_** Shot in early 1989, this reminded of “Rosemary’s Baby” during the first two acts and so was unsurprised to learn that the director cited it as one of his biggest influences, along with “The Spiral Staircase.” The milieu of the story is just switched from an old Gotham apartment building to sunny SoCal. Billy Warlock makes for a great protagonist and it’s unfortunate he didn’t have a more successful career in acting. So, the first hour works pretty well, but the shocking elements of the last act go on way too long. Less is more. That’s why Polanski limited the big reveal at the end of “Rosemary’s Baby” to just a minute or two. “Society” was appreciated in Europe in 1989-90, but was a dud in America, where it wasn’t officially released until 1992, although it screened at the USA Film Festival in 1991. It, however, did very well when released to video and has gone on to develop a cult following. It runs 1 hour, 39 minutes, and was shot in the Los Angeles area as follows: Pasadena (the mansion), Van Nuys (high school), North Hills (hospital) and Culver City (studio work). GRADE: C