Disturbing Behavior reverses expectations. The good kids are bad, the bad kids are good and sexual temptation leads to violence.

The Blue Ribbons is a clique of obsessively "good" students in Cradle Bay, a small island community in the Pacific Northwest. But, in this high school horror-drama directed by X-Files veteran David Nutter, the bad and rebellious kids tend to disappear, then reappear newly clean-cut, upstanding and inclined to sponsor bake sales for good causes. And thus the horror ensues....

Is it aliens? Androids? Body-snatchers? No, the monster here is Dr. Caldicott (Bruce Greenwood), a high school counselor who dabbles in microchip implants and brainwashing. But when he puts the grab on happy-go-lucky pot-head Gavin Strick (Nick Stahl), pals Steve Clark (James Marsden) and Rachel Wagner (Katie Holmes of Dawson's Creek fame) decide to investigate.

Blocking their path is Officer Cox (Steve Railsback), a police officer who won't let a little thing like a dead partner get in the way of a quiet and peaceful community, but they find an unexpected ally in the form of rat-obsessed school janitor Dorian Newberry (William Sadler).

Disturbing Behavior never really hits its stride. Despite an interesting premise (a modern, hipper take on The Stepford Wives), the plot is underdeveloped -- which is a shame, since many vital developments were filmed but left on the cutting room floor. (It's possible to get a clearer view of the director's vision -- in piecemeal form -- on the DVD.) As it is, this thriller doesn't thrill, but it oozes potential. Cutting a good film down to save time at the expense of its soul -- now that's disturbing behavior.

[ by Tom Knapp ]
Rambles: 10 August 2002