SAWBONES (1995)
The first time I watched this film, I noted that all of the backdrops looked like the inside of my eyelids. Then I realized I was unconscious. Yes, I had to sit through Sawbones twice to review it. It actually wasn't the movie's fault that I fell asleep, although our villain seemed to be snoozing through the death sequences. I would accuse producer Roger Corman of ripping off Dr. Giggles, but why on Earth would he? No one cared about Dr. Giggles, this in spite of my push to have Larry Drake's blood-stained smock from the cult slasher accepted into the Smithsonian. Regardless, Sawbones is no Dr. Giggles. It tells the tale of a medical student who doesn't react well to being rejected by the admissions department of a prestigious university. Technically, he doesn't react at all. Don Harvey's performance as the lunatic William Knapp (I couldn't dream of a more suitable appellation) can only be described as drowsy. He has the appearance of Patrick Bateman, but he has the personality of Patrick Bateman's ideal business card, even down to the subtle off-white coloring.
Our main character is an aimless lass by the name of Jenny. She doesn't have her ducks in a row, which I found refreshing. Moreover, she's easy on the eyes. Her boyfriend, another doctor, is just as dull as Dr. Not Giggles. Oddly, the cast is fitted with Mad TV alumni Phil LaMarr (as a co-worker) and Michael McDonald (as a flamboyant metrosexual in handcuffs at a police station). Aside from Jenny, everyone is either bored or boring. The kills are nasty in theory, but we don't see much. Come to think of it, I don't remember Sawbones having any special effects, unless you count a prop skeleton. And yet somehow, the third act is entertaining. There is a car chase, and Jenny plays a cat-and-mouse game of sorts with the screwball surgeon. Eh, three Z'Dars should cover it. Recommended to fans of waking up in the middle of surgery.
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