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Plot Summary


Aunt Stella Binford, portrayed by Eve Brent, discovers her late dance partner’s son, Eric Binford, played by Dennis Christopher, dozing in his bedroom with a classic film playing on the television. As she awakens him, Stella chastises Eric for wasting his life indulging in movies day and night. She is filled with regrets about how Eric’s father dismantled their dance duo and how a car accident, which occurred after she was called away to care for the ailing young Eric, cut short her career, leaving her with paralyzed legs. During breakfast, Stella angrily sweeps Eric’s collection of VHS tapes off the table, urging him to pursue knowledge rather than mere entertainment. In a humorous exchange, Eric mimics James Cagney, retorting that Stella talks too much, warning her that one day she would regret her words.

At Continental Film Services, where Eric works, he faces the wrath of his abrasive boss, Norman Burton, who yells at him for his tardiness and orders him to make a delivery. Meanwhile, at a nearby police station, LAPD Captain M.L. Gallagher, played by James Luisi, meets with psychiatrist Tim Thomerson to discuss his role in rehabilitating juvenile offenders—a task Gallagher doubts will succeed. The more amiable Officer Anna Oshenbull, portrayed by Gwynne Gilford, introduces Moriarty to his new office, housed in an old drunk tank in the basement.

Before heading out on his delivery route, Eric wagers his workmates, Richie (played by Mickey Rourke) and Bart (Hennen Chambers), $20 apiece that they won’t guess the full name of Rick from Casablanca. After delivering a film to a local studio, Eric finds himself captivated by an aspiring model with an Australian accent, Marilyn O’Connor, portrayed by Linda Kerridge. Enchanted by her beauty, he daydreams about Marilyn channeling Marilyn Monroe, singing ‘Happy Birthday.’ After impressing her with his extensive movie knowledge, she requests a ride back to work, leaving an indelible mark on Eric’s heart.

Later, Eric arrives home and surprises Stella by tidying his room and dressing smartly for his date with Marilyn. After mimicking Cary Grant, he boldly declares that he is going out with “Marilyn Monroe” and seeks movie money from Stella in exchange for a back rub upon his return. However, the night does not go as planned as Marilyn never shows up.

While dining elsewhere, Marilyn finds herself entangled with a manipulative ex-boyfriend, Joey, played by Peter Horton, who attempts to lure her back into modeling. Wondering about Eric, she rushes to meet him, but by the time he returns home after a long wait, she is already having dinner. In an intense twist of events, Stella confronts Eric about his obsession with films. When he reenacts a scene from Kiss of Death, he accidentally causes her untimely demise. Loss consumes Eric, leading him to disregard Stella’s health books and embrace the chaos brewing inside.

As the days unfold, Eric finds himself attending Stella’s funeral dressed as a film character, spiraling deeper into madness. He reinvents himself by embodying characters from classic horror films, engaging in increasingly violent acts, such as confronting Richie at a carnival and taking his life. With pressure mounting from the police—and especially Captain Gallagher’s skepticism towards psychiatrist Moriarty’s insights—Eric’s life descends into a web of violence and madness.

After a series of chilling encounters, Eric’s obsession culminates in a deadly confrontation with the people in his life. Dressed as a movie character, he bonds with Marilyn during a photoshoot, but as their relationship deepens, so does Eric’s desperation. In a shocking showdown at Hollywood’s Chinese Theater, a cat-and-mouse game ensues with Moriarty and police SWAT teams converging on Eric, leaving chaos in their wake.

Ultimately, as Eric succumbs to the consequences of his twisted dreams and the onslaught of police bullets, he recreates an iconic scene from Cagney’s film, affirming both his identity and tragic fate in the compelling world of cinematic madness. The movie ends on a haunting note, leaving audiences pondering the thin line between reality and fantasy.

Timeline


Stella Discovers Eric

Aunt Stella Binford wakes up to find her late dance partner's son, Eric, asleep in his room with a classic film playing. She expresses her frustration about how Eric is wasting his life by indulging in movies instead of pursuing more meaningful endeavors.

Eric's Bedroom

Stella's Regrets

During breakfast, Stella reflects on her lost career due to a car accident that left her with paralyzed legs. Her relationship with Eric's father, which ended their dance duo, also weighs heavily on her mind as she tries to guide Eric to a better path.

Confrontation at the Breakfast Table

In an emotional moment, Stella angrily sweeps Eric's VHS tape collection off the table, urging him to seek knowledge rather than mere entertainment. This leads to a humorous exchange where Eric humorously mimics James Cagney and warns Stella about her words.

Eric's Work Challenges

At Continental Film Services, Eric's tardiness angers his boss, who orders him to make a delivery. This highlights the pressures Eric faces daily, working in a place that doesn't appreciate his passion for films.

Continental Film Services

Meeting Marilyn

While delivering a film to a local studio, Eric is captivated by aspiring model Marilyn O'Connor. He daydreams about her, imagining her as a Marilyn Monroe figure, which marks a turning point in his infatuation with film and fantasy.

Local Studio

Planning the Date

After being enchanted by Marilyn, Eric tidies his room and dresses smartly in preparation for their date. He boldly announces to Stella that he is going out with 'Marilyn Monroe' and even tries to barter for movie money with a back rub.

Eric's Home

A Failed Date

As Eric waits excitedly for Marilyn to arrive for their date, she fails to show up, leaving him disappointed and longing for connection. This moment marks the beginning of Eric's growing obsession and unfulfilled desires.

Eric's Home

Marilyn's Dilemma

Meanwhile, Marilyn grapples with her manipulative ex-boyfriend, Joey, who tries to lure her back into modeling. Torn between her past and new connections, she still thinks of Eric, setting up a tragic misalignment of their fates.

Tragic Confrontation

In a chaotic turn of events, Stella confronts Eric about his unhealthy obsession with films. When he reenacts a scene from 'Kiss of Death,' it leads to an accidental, tragic demise for Stella, plunging Eric into a realm of loss and guilt.

Eric's Home

Attending the Funeral

Dressed as a film character, Eric attends Stella's funeral, overwhelmed with grief and spiraling deeper into madness. This marks the start of his transformation as he begins to lose touch with reality.

Funeral

Embracing Madness

As days go by, Eric fully immerses himself in the personas of classic horror films, engaging in violent acts. His descent into chaos is highlighted by a confrontation with his friend Richie at a carnival, marking a pivotal turn in his spiraling insanity.

Carnival

Eric's Showdown

Pressure mounts from the police as Captain Gallagher questions psychiatric insights regarding Eric. The climax builds as Eric navigates his violent obsession, leading to a horrifying confrontation.

Final Confrontation

In a gripping showdown at Hollywood's Chinese Theater, Eric, fully embodying a movie character, engages in a tense cat-and-mouse game with the police and psychiatrist Moriarty. This scene showcases the ultimate clash between his fantasies and harsh reality.

Hollywood's Chinese Theater

Conclusion and Chaos

As the police close in, Eric's confrontation leads to a tragic culmination, where he recreates an iconic film scene amidst the chaos. This moment not only cements his tragic fate but also reflects the thin line between reality and cinematic delusion.

A Haunting End

The film concludes on a haunting note, leaving audiences to ponder the consequences of Eric's obsession. His tragic fate serves as a chilling reminder of how the allure of cinema can blur the lines of reality, leading to devastating outcomes.

Characters


Eric Binford (Dennis Christopher)

Eric is a troubled young man consumed by his love for classic films, which often blurs the line between fantasy and reality. His initial charm and humor mask a deeper turmoil stemming from his past losses, leading him down a dark path culminating in tragic violence. Eric embodies the archetype of a film fanatic whose inability to separate fiction from life results in devastating consequences.

🎬 Film Buff 🕵️ Obsessed 😔 Tragic

Aunt Stella Binford (Eve Brent)

Stella is a complex character marked by her regrets and past as a dancer. Her attempts to steer Eric towards a healthier life often come off as harsh, revealing her own frustrations and unfulfilled dreams. The loss of her career due to an accident haunts her, and her relationship with Eric highlights the struggles of letting go and facing the consequences of past choices.

👵 Guardian 💔 Regretful 🩰 Former Dancer

Captain M.L. Gallagher (James Luisi)

Gallagher serves as a skeptical authority figure within the narrative, representing law and order amidst chaos. His interactions with psychiatric professionals reflect the challenges of understanding and rehabilitating troubled individuals like Eric. Through Gallagher, the film critiques the limitations of systemic approaches to mental health issues.

👮‍♂️ Authority 🧩 Skeptical 🚔 Law

Marilyn O'Connor (Linda Kerridge)

Marilyn is an aspiring model who captures Eric's heart, representing the unattainable ideal in his cinematic fantasies. Her presence in the film symbolizes both inspiration and despair, as Eric’s obsession with her underscores his struggles to forge genuine connections. Despite her initial allure, Marilyn is drawn into a web of chaos that Eric creates.

👠 Aspiring Model 💔 Love Interest 🌟 Dreamlike

Setting


Time period

The film does not specify an exact time period but depicts a contemporary setting where classic films influence the characters’ lives. It reflects the 1980s film culture, characterized by an obsession with nostalgic movie references and a growing disconnect between reality and fantasy.

Location

Los Angeles, Hollywood

Set primarily in Los Angeles, the film captures the vibrant yet chaotic atmosphere of the city known for its rich film industry. Hollywood, a neighborhood within Los Angeles, is emblematic of classic cinema, featuring iconic landmarks like the Chinese Theater where cinematic dreams often collide with harsh realities.

🎬 Film 🏙️ City 🎭 Theaters

Themes


🎭

Identity Crisis

The movie explores the theme of identity as Eric Binford struggles to establish who he is amidst his obsession with films. This obsession leads him to reenact iconic movie scenes, showcasing how cinema can distort one's sense of reality. Ultimately, this crisis culminates in tragic consequences as he becomes lost in his cinematic fantasies.

💔

Loss and Grief

Loss serves as a driving force in Eric’s descent into madness following the death of his aunt. His grief leads him to reject the life he knew and to embrace violent fantasies that echo his favorite films. The film poignantly illustrates how unresolved grief can manifest in destructive ways, drawing parallels between personal loss and cinematic escapism.

⚔️

Violence

Violence permeates the narrative as Eric's obsession with film characters spirals into real-life consequences. The transition from playful mimicry to dangerous aggression illustrates the fine line between entertainment and reality. The film ultimately critiques how media can influence behavior, and how living in a fantasy can lead to catastrophic outcomes.

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