The Fan (1981)
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45% of critics liked it
(11 reviews) -
42% of users liked it
(1,097 ratings)
Lauren Bacall more or less plays herself in The Fan. Cast as famous Broadway musical comedy star Sally Ross (with an astonishing lack of temperament!), Bacall finds herself the unwilling love object of psychotic fan Douglas Breen (Michael Biehn). As security around Ross tightens, Breen vows that if… More Lauren Bacall more or less plays herself in The Fan. Cast as famous Broadway musical comedy star Sally Ross (with an astonishing lack of temperament!), Bacall finds herself the unwilling love object of psychotic fan Douglas Breen (Michael Biehn). As security around Ross tightens, Breen vows that if he can't have Ross, no one else can. James Garner and Maureen Stapleton are underused as, respectively, Bacall's ex-husband and mother-hen secretary. Based on a good novel by Bob Randall, The Fan comes off as a slightly more expensive "stalker of the week" TV movie. Still, the film proved grimly prescient in the light of John Lennon's assassination (which occurred after the film was completed, but before its release) and the ongoing dilemma of current Broadway stars (even the lesser lights) who are forced to hire bodyguards to protect them from worshipful wackos. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Ed Bianchi, Edward Bianchi
- Written By
- Priscilla Chapman, John Hartwell
- Genres
- Mystery & Suspense, Drama
R,
- In Theaters
- May 15, 1981 Wide
- Studio
- Paramount Home Video
Critic Reviews
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Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily
An unsettling thriller about a celebrity stalker that only falters at the end. Good work by Bacall and especially Biehn.
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Michael A. Smith, Nolan's Pop Culture Review
Creepy Michael Biehn is memorable.
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Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Enjoyably campy trash.
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Scott Weinberg, Apollo Guide
Those looking for a tight thriller will be bored; those looking for effective horror will be annoyed.
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)
Featured Audience Ratings
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Cast
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Lauren Bacall
as Sally Ross
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James Garner
as Jake Berman
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Maureen Stapleton
as Belle Goldman
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Michael Biehn
as Douglas Breen
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Hector Elizondo
as Ralph Andrews
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Anna Maria Horsford
as Emily
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Kurt Johnson
as David
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Feiga Martinez
as Elsa
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Reed Jones
as Choreographer
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Ed Crowley
as Caretaker
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Jean De Baer
as Stage Manager
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Dana Delany
as Saleswoman
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Ann Pearl Gary
as Fan
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Kaiulani Lee
as Douglas' Sister
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Donna Mitchell
as Hostess
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Lionel Pina
as Customer
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Justin Ross
as Dancer
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Dwight Schultz
as Director
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Robert Weil
as Pop
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Jim Wolfe
as Dancer
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Griffin Dunne
as Production Assistant
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Tim Elliott
as Stagehand
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Terence Marinan
as Young Man in Bar
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Miriam Phillips
as Woman on Steps
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Themi Sapountzakis
as Markham
- Stephanie E. Williams
- Alixe Gordin
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Victoria Vanderkloot
as Pen Thief
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George Peters
as Doorman
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Charles Blackwell
as John Vetta
- Erik van Valkenburg
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Liz Smith
as Herself
- Kurt R. Johnson
