The Flying Dutchman

DVDs can be purchased for stupid reasons. Here's one: I saw a documentary about famous producer Robert Evans. In the internet I read that the man was married for eleven days to a woman called Katherine Oxenberg – an intriguing name for people who live in the German speaking world, makes me think instantly of a delicious soup. I did not know the woman (honestly) and thought: hm, let's have a look at her. So, again through the internet, I ordered the none too expensive disc. And now I know her, sort of.

I did not have the patience to watch this movie through to the end, the uninspired, predictable script and the none too good direction are to blame. The locations in Montana are dramatically beautiful, the actors do an OK job and the art on display – an important point in the plot – is kinda interesting. The basic idea for the story combined with the isolated location actually had some potential. It was used badly.

But the most irritating thing about The Flying Dutchman was Mrs. Oxenberg's nose. It just never seemed to settle comfortably in her face and I quickly developed an unhealthy fixation on that apparently man made body part, ever wondering what it would do next. Oh, what a tragedy! It probably looks great on fotos for glamour magazines, but as soon as the carrier is seen moving, it develops a strange, inexplicable and not entirely welcome presence. How bizarre. How sad.

I watched it all the way through, so I gave it an extra star (half star for sites that use 5 stars). Eric Roberts offered a great performance since he spent nearly the entire movie not talking at all. He did a good job with facial expression and body language. The only really good performance in the entire film.

Otherwise, you know it is going to be a bad movie when the supporting actress gives a better performance than the lead actress. The concept was typical. Nothing to write home about. The attempts to mislead the viewers into thinking the law enforcement was the murderer were heavy handed and clumsy.

Not a good film but I could at least watch it to the end. If planning an evening of bad horror movies, it works.

A few years after release but.

The vision behind this was maybe a bit before it's time.

It's always strange when old themes become current.

While predictable, there is a vision and complexity that can be compared to wine.

The Montana scenery and organic local talent - such as Renata Godfrey's performance - make this a film that should have legs with several audiences.

Worse films have become cult favorites based on lesser impressions.

Try to imagine what Rod Steiger and Cat Oxenburg saw in the script. Sure things could have been done different, but sit down and imagine.

Then remember it's just entertainment.

"Frozen in Fear" is recommended for Eric Roberts or Rod Steiger completests only. Neither actor is particularly spectacular, although they try their best with a script that is a severe handicap. The ending is especially contrived, with the usual sequel possibility left uncomfortably dangling. Leading up to this anticlimactic climax, redundant flashbacks vaguely reveal why Eric Roberts character is so screwed up (as if we didn't know). What you get for most of the film is a mute Eric Roberts constantly groping Catherine Oxenberg, lots of machine made fog appearing out of nowhere, and a story so underdeveloped that it screams for an immediate re-write. - MERK

This movie at best is ok. This is a different role for my favorite actor Eric Roberts(Sean). It takes place in a little town in Montana. It's a screenplay gone bad. I love some of the stuff that is in the movie but this movie is boring. I love Eric in it but it's not a real good movie. It's about a painter that has a dark past. It has a great cast but not a good plot! Just rent some other Eric Robert movie. It's kind of a thriller with a twisted plot. Just rent it! It also stars Catherine Oxenberg and Rod Steiger. Out of 4 stars I give it 1 1/2 stars. I love ya Eric but PLEASE try again. I do like him in every movie part he has been in. He is a strong presents on screen! Also by the way the real title of this movie is "Frozen in Fear" It's on DVD on VHS Sep. 11 2001. So if you are a Eric Roberts fan it's a must buy for me at least. I have all his films on DVD. He is really that good!