(1980)
REVIEWED BY-STEVE GENIER DIRECTOR-GEORGE KACZENDER CAST-ROBERT MITCHUM. LEE MAJORS, VALERIE PERRINE, ALEXANDRA STEWART, SAUL RUBINEK and GEORGE TOULIATOS. SOURCE-VIVAFILM VHS
What we have here is a mystery or better yet and soft core thriller shot in and around Montreal Quebec, but wanting you to think the story is placed in Washington DC. Well, for those who live in Montreal, and Washington DC, you all know better. AGENCY has us follow an ad agency exec Philip Morgan (LEE MAJORS) who runs the creative side of the agency. After being tipped off by his ever so paranoid co-worker and friend Sam Goldstein (SAUL RUBINEK) about a couple of high profile projects in the works without Morgan being involved, he starts to investigate. Meanwhile, employees are mysterious either leaving or dropping dead and new replacements being hired. Morgan approaches the agency’s owner Ted Quinn (ROBERT MITCHUM) about the allegations. Quinn enlightens Morgan as to what is going on, but still Morgan feels there is more to what he’s saying. Director George Kaczender (FREDDY’S NIGHTMARES, NIGHT HEAT) manages to set up the first quarter of AGENCY with a great character and story build up. Creating a somewhat secret underlining plot that Goldstein is uncovering and later killed for. Although his death was made to look like a suicide, being stuffed in a fridge must of been hell for Rubinek, even if it was only for a few minutes. Yet, that secret plot is going to the grave with Goldstein and it is up to Morgan to try and piece the puzzle together. Think though, you as a viewer of television and readers of magazines with ads, what is the one thing that often comes to mind....what is the subliminal message conveyed and hidden. Welcome to the Agency.
AGENCY is yet another rare and often over looked gem from the hay days of Canada’s cult/horror invasion. Though pretty much near it’s end, it managed to give us a few great moments. Films like THE CLOWN MURDERS, INCUBUS, THE BROOD to name but only a few. Throughout the 70's many American actors and film makers traveled to either Toronto or Montreal and used their streets in hopes to mask them and prop them for US cities. Although being a Canadian, I knew better. Still often very fun to watch, to recognize areas in which you either grew up or knew of. AGENCY again is one of those films that uses this formula, though shot in Montreal and not Toronto, I still could relate to much of the scenery. Well, enough of me and back to the film. Just figured I’d give you a little insight as to why many of these films are gems to many.
One of the strong points of AGENCY is the great acting job done by Lee Majors, known mostly for his TV work such as THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN and THE FALL GUY, his work here reflects a different side of him. Though he tends to shade glimpses of his humor often shared in THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN and THE FALL GUY. Still very much into character here as the ad exec, dawning eyeglasses and an entirely different wardrobe in many scenes. The beard though is pretty much the set up to his stint as the FALL GUY which shortly came after. Majors is backed up by a strong mixture of both American and Canadian actors. What could be said about Robert Mitchum that hasn’t already been said. His protrayal as the ad tycoon Ted Quinn, though you learn he has an ulterior motive for buying up the ad firm. Playing a very hands on boss, but knowing there is a reason other then the best interests of the company and the employees.
Though often very up front about what is going on, Quinn never gives you the full just of it all. Saul Rubinek’s character as Goldstein displays a genuinely great job as someone burdened with a secret, shedding the paranoia so no one will believe him. Believe me, that is not intentional either, for Goldstein is scared shitless and no one will believe him. Lastly not to forget the all out dog fight for Lee Majors by the two female leads. Not really, Valerie Perrine plays Morgan's love interest, Brenda. Though often giving Morgan the brush off for some doctor who I believe it played by director George Kaczender himself. I wasn't quite impressed with the job Perrine did, found it quite unfinished and lack any realism. The other is Quinn's secretary, Mimi played by Alexandra Stewart. Both her and Morgan manage to have the only love scene shortly after she seduces him. Which I believe to be cut out of the film itself. Shame, Stewart was quite tasteful.
The film itself does tend to stray away from time to time, resulting in losing interest, but there always seems to be that one scene or element that draws you back in. Maybe it’s the often direct music score provided by Lewis Furey. Coming out just the right moments of action, the score grabs you with quick violin fills often housed in suspense thrillers of the day. The film is edited with quickness and swift flow, given the feel of AGENCY an edge that lacks in many films of this caliber. Suspense is not on high alert here, but your senses are.
3 BITCH SLAPS
