Softwing Most undeservingly overhyped movie of all time??

ChampDavSlim The acting is good, and the firecracker script has some excellent ideas.

Juana what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

Jemima It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.

Wizard-8 I decided to watch "The Maddening" because I was intrigued by the movie's promise of showcasing Burt Reynolds in a very atypical role, that being a bad guy. But I was sorely let down by the end results. Except for some good photography and lighting for what was a low budget production, the movie goes wrong in just about every way you can think of. The story has nothing really new - you'll be able to more or less predict what will happen next before it actually happens on the screen, save for some REALLY BIG continuity gaffs. As for Reynolds (who wears an especially bad hairpiece), although he has shown he can act in other movies, here he just seems to be badly miscast; at every moment he comes across as good ol' boy Burt Reynolds instead of someone who is scary and disturbed. One last thing: While the movie got slapped with an "R" rating, it really doesn't earn that harsh rating. If you ask me, the movie is more deserving of a PG-13 rating.

desperationnumberfive Burt Reynolds as a psycho... definitely had me interested when I came across this one on late- night cable TV. I should have known that like most of everything Burt Reynoolds has made in the last 20 years or so, this one is very high on camp and pretty low on quality. I was even more surprised to see that it was directed by Danny Huston, who has since gone on to do some excellent acting work in some very acclaimed films. I guess The Maddening was a low point for both him and Burt... check it out only if you dare. Kind of reminded me of the B-movie classic The Stepfather, except this one is even lower in production value.

prfrmr I first saw this film in '96 shortly after it came out. My then-bf's dad rented it cause it was a thriller. Back then I didn't know what an Indie film was. Regardless, this one shines a very different light on Reynolds' talent. From the stereotype ladies-man, machoism his fans have long known him for, he takes a few steps back here to a darker, more sinister role (less, later on as 'Boss Hogg'). He starts out as the hunky car mechanic..... coming to the aid and rescue of Mia Sara and daughter. But obviously somethings not all there when he cons an engine prob, offering Sara a call from his own house. Only to "kidnap" her and her young daughter to become companion and house slave to his demented wife (Dickinson). Creepy. There are several moments of ill-found passion where he bullies Sara, and at one time, nearly rapes her, only due to the ghost of his wheelchair-bound demented father....and a hidden, grotesque family secret.....revealed in all hellishness at the end.A must see.

HumanoidOfFlesh I was a bit skeptical to see this film,mainly because Burt Reynolds plays a psycho killer!I was wrong-"The Maddening" is very good.Reynolds performance is just scary and flawless,and the film has its share of surprises.It's creepy,mildly disturbing at times,but still manages to be entertaining for horror/thriller fans!The acting is surprisingly good and there are some violent scenes like nasty throat slashing!Check it out-you won't be disappointed!8 out of 10.