Frantic (1988)
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78% of critics liked it
(40 reviews) -
57% of users liked it
(21,265 ratings)
Following the disastrous Pirates (1986), director Roman Polanski got back on creative track with this finely-wrought thriller that, while failing to impress at the box office, was nevertheless his most critically well-received film of the decade. Harrison Ford stars as Richard Walker, an American… More Following the disastrous Pirates (1986), director Roman Polanski got back on creative track with this finely-wrought thriller that, while failing to impress at the box office, was nevertheless his most critically well-received film of the decade. Harrison Ford stars as Richard Walker, an American doctor who has come to Paris, where he's scheduled to deliver a paper to a medical conference. Richard has brought along his wife Sondra (Betty Buckley), because Paris was the site of their honeymoon 20 years earlier. Sondra picks up the wrong suitcase at the airport, which leads to her kidnapping and an ever-more complicated quest that takes Richard into the seedy and dangerous underworld of European drug smuggling and terrorist arms sales. Along the way, he is rebuffed by skeptical officials at the American Embassy and meets Michelle (Emmanuelle Seigner), a sexy courier who agrees to help him in exchange for the money she's owed for trafficking in narcotics. Playing cleverly on American fears about Europe's Byzantine politics and "decadent" society, Frantic received, from many observers, perhaps the greatest compliment possible for a thriller, comparison to the work of Alfred Hitchcock. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi
- Directed By
- Roman Polanski
- Written By
- Roman Polanski, Gérard Brach
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense
- In Theaters
- Feb 26, 1988 Wide
- Studio
- Warner Home Video
Critic Reviews
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Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
[Polanski's] usual surrealism is almost completely absent.
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Variety Staff, Variety
A thriller without much surprise, suspense or excitement.
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, Time Out
Funny and unsettling.
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Janet Maslin, New York Times
[Polanski] has succeeded in picking up the clever, unnerving thread of his earlier career.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Even with its excesses, Frantic is a reminder of how absorbing a good thriller can be.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Harrison Ford
as Dr. Richard Walker
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Emmanuelle Seigner
as Michelle
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Betty Buckley
as Sondra Walker
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John Mahoney
as Williams
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Jimmie Ray Weeks
as Shaap
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David Huddleston
as Peter
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Yorgo Voyagis
as The Kidnaper
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Gérard Klein
as Gaillard
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Jacques Ciron
as Hotel Manager
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Dominique Pinon
as Wino
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Thomas M. Pollard
as Rastafarian
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Alexandra Stewart
as Edie
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Robert Barr
as Irwin
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Boll Boyer
as Dede Martin
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Artus de Penguern
as Waiter
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Jean-Pierre Delage
as Florist
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Richard Dieux
as Desk Cop
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Alain Doutey
as Hall Porter
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Patrick Floersheim
as Man in Leather
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David Jalil
as Bodyguard
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Roch Leibovici
as Bellboy
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Patrice Melennec
as Hotel Detective
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Louise Vincent
as Tourist
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Raouf Ben Amor
as Dr. Metlaoui
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Marcel Bluwal
as Man in Tweed
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Stephane D'Audeville
as Bellboy
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Claude Doineau
as U.S. Embassy Clerk
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Marc Dudicourt
as Cafe Owner
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Fonky French Family
as Houseboat Band
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Robert Ground
as U.S. Security Officer
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Jean-Claude Houbard
as Dead Driver
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Ella Jaroszewicz
as Restroom Attendant
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Joelle Lagneau
as Florist
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Isabelle Noah
as Houseboat Owner
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Andre Quiqui
as "Blue Parrot" Barman
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Yves Rénier
as Inspector
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Djiby Soumare
as Taxi Driver
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Laurent Spielvogel
as Hall Porter
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Tina Sportolaro
as TWA Clerk
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Dominique Virton
as Desk Clerk
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Alan Ladd
as Bellboy
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Bruce Johnson
as Marine Guard
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Michael Morris
as U.S. Embassy Clerk
