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War does strange things to a man," says the wise old doctor who has known
shell-shocked Vietnam war veteran Donny McAndrew (Jeff Fahey) all his life.
Specifically, the medic says that McAndrew is suffering from post-traumatic
stress. That explains why he has nightmares and does strange things like firing
his shotgun into the air from the balcony of his estate just for kicks.
McAndrew also has an adulterous wife (Karen Allen), who's eyeing her husband's
family lumber business holdings. If she could just push the emotionally fragile
guy over the edge, maybe he'd blow his own brains out.
In this quickly paced thriller, the suspense is handled skillfully. It builds
until all the pieces seem set to fall into place. But then . . . well, you'll
have to see for yourself.
Keith Carradine does a nice job in a key role as one of Mara's paramours, a
man with icy charm. Both Fahey ("Psycho III") and Allen ("Raiders of the Lost
Ark") turn in fine performances as the antagonistic husband and wife.
"Backfire" is bound to please anyone who likes dramas that deal with strong
characters matching wits in deadly games. Bill Kaufman
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