THE BELIEVERS. Directed by John Schlesinger; written by Mark Frost; produced by John Schlesinger, Michael Childers and Beverly Camhe for Orion. Starring Martin Sheen, Harley Cross and Helen Shaver. Rated R (violence, langugage).
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The Believers is a fun thriller. Its cast is good, suspense is built up skillfully, and the plot is interesting, with only a few logical lapses to intrude upon the excitement.
The subject matter of this movie resembles this spring's Angel Heart, but it isn't as gruesome, depressing or as artistically sophisticated as the earlier movie.
Cal (Sheen) moves to New York City with his son, Chris (Cross), after the death of his wife. The movie takes a little time to fill in Cal's character, showing he is still somewhat grieving for his wife. But he doesn't fail to notice how attractive his new landlady, Jessica (Shaver), is.
Chris, too, is having trouble working through his grief. But that's nothing compared to the troubles that begin after he finds a mysterious decorated shell in the park.
The trinket is taken as a sign by members of an evil cult that Chris is to be one of their sacrificial victims. Two other young boys are found brutally murdered in the course of the movie.
Cal, a local psychologist, is warned of the danger by a young cop he sees (Jimmy Smits) who is convinced he's marked for death by the cult. Disdainful of superstition, though, Cal refuses to acknowledge what's going on until the evidence is overwhelming.
Strong, well-played characters are what make The Believers successful in spite of its melodramatic plot. Sheen is a sympathetic hero. His skepticism, his affection for his son, and his vulnerability combine to make Cal an interesting, "believeable" character.
Cross does a very good job with Chris, too. He's cute, of course, but not cutesy, and he handles his scenes, some of which are quite emotionally demanding, like an old pro.
Fans of L.A. Law (as well as others) will be impressed with Smits' intense performance of the doomed cop. Far from the suave lawyer he plays on the T.V. series, here he gets to be grubby and hysterical. And he's good at it.
Robert Loggia is good as always as the police investigator in charge of the murder cases. Harris Yulin and, especially, Malick Bowens are good villains.
Most of the gruesome, bloody deeds that one would really rather not see are, in fact, performed off-screen in The Believers. But the camera dances around the aftermath of the murders, for example, in such a way that you expect to be shown unspeakable horrors at any moment. That makes for real edge-of-your-seat excitement, but of the somewhat manipulative variety.
There are a few moments that will be unpleasant for those with queasy stomachs, however. Viewers who normally avoid these kinds of things probably wouldn't be tempted to see The Believers in the first place. But those who like their thrillers well crafted and not too graphic will enjoy it.
June 24, 1987