I am the proud owner of an original copy of "Scalpel" on VHS. I deliberately use the words 'proud owner' because, even though far from being a masterpiece or even a gem, this is nevertheless a uniquely bizarre, eccentric and obscure melodrama/psycho-thriller. The basic plot as described on the back of the VHS already sounds quite absurd, but the film gradually gets more bonkers with every new story twist and additional perverted undertone that gets introduced!
Robert Lansing is ideally cast, with his natural psychotic charisma, and terrifically performs his role as the totally preposterous plastic surgeon Philippe Reynolds who has more than just one mental issue. Even though he's already quite wealthy, like one of the characters aptly points out, he still wants to obtain his father-in-law's five million dollar inheritance at all costs. Slight problem, however, is that father-in-law hated his guts and left the entire fortune to Philippe's cute daughter Heather. Slightly bigger problem even; Heather vanished more than a year ago after she witnessed how daddy drowned her boyfriend in the pond. But when Dr. Reynolds rescues a strip-dancer from the streets, whose face has been reduced to goulash by a dissatisfied customer, he comes up with the brilliant idea to reconstruct her frontispiece to the exact image of his missing daughter and convince her to share the inheritance with him. Problems arise when Dr. Reynolds can't control his sexual desires toward his daughter/partner in crime, when other family members and friends become increasingly suspicious and – especially – when the real Heather suddenly returns home.
"False Face" has the unique ability to be very brilliant and incredibly stupid at the same time! The plot makes some of the craziest twists and turns imaginable. They are highly implausible, of course, but also very inventive and definitely unpredictable. There were a couple of moments when the complete opposite of what I expected happened and that is something you just have to appreciate! Furthermore there are a few downright absurd sequences in "False Face", like a genuine and never before seen funeral jazz party (yes, indeed) and a hilarious flashback sequence showing Dr. Reynolds' wife drowning whilst he cheerfully paddles by in a dumb-looking little boat. The supportive cast is filled with luscious and typically Southern-Georgia characters, like for example a drunken sexist uncle and sleazy barman. The exquisite Judith Chapman also gives a stellar performance in her double; which really mustn't have been easy since the Jane-character is cocky and playful, whereas the Heather-character is timid and insecure. "False Face" is a truly fun movie, solidly scripted and directed by John Grissmer who – strangely enough – only made two movies with an interlude of a decade. The other being "Blood Rage"; a rare 80's slasher which I certainly wouldn't mind seeing also.
Robert Lansing is ideally cast, with his natural psychotic charisma, and terrifically performs his role as the totally preposterous plastic surgeon Philippe Reynolds who has more than just one mental issue. Even though he's already quite wealthy, like one of the characters aptly points out, he still wants to obtain his father-in-law's five million dollar inheritance at all costs. Slight problem, however, is that father-in-law hated his guts and left the entire fortune to Philippe's cute daughter Heather. Slightly bigger problem even; Heather vanished more than a year ago after she witnessed how daddy drowned her boyfriend in the pond. But when Dr. Reynolds rescues a strip-dancer from the streets, whose face has been reduced to goulash by a dissatisfied customer, he comes up with the brilliant idea to reconstruct her frontispiece to the exact image of his missing daughter and convince her to share the inheritance with him. Problems arise when Dr. Reynolds can't control his sexual desires toward his daughter/partner in crime, when other family members and friends become increasingly suspicious and – especially – when the real Heather suddenly returns home.
"False Face" has the unique ability to be very brilliant and incredibly stupid at the same time! The plot makes some of the craziest twists and turns imaginable. They are highly implausible, of course, but also very inventive and definitely unpredictable. There were a couple of moments when the complete opposite of what I expected happened and that is something you just have to appreciate! Furthermore there are a few downright absurd sequences in "False Face", like a genuine and never before seen funeral jazz party (yes, indeed) and a hilarious flashback sequence showing Dr. Reynolds' wife drowning whilst he cheerfully paddles by in a dumb-looking little boat. The supportive cast is filled with luscious and typically Southern-Georgia characters, like for example a drunken sexist uncle and sleazy barman. The exquisite Judith Chapman also gives a stellar performance in her double; which really mustn't have been easy since the Jane-character is cocky and playful, whereas the Heather-character is timid and insecure. "False Face" is a truly fun movie, solidly scripted and directed by John Grissmer who – strangely enough – only made two movies with an interlude of a decade. The other being "Blood Rage"; a rare 80's slasher which I certainly wouldn't mind seeing also.