Product: The Dead Zone [VHS] (1983)
Rating: 5.0
A must-have for any collection
"The Dead Zone" is that rare creature, a Stephen King adaptation that gets everything right. It's not "scary" per se, but then again, most of King's best work focuses on the human aspects of a story rather than the supernatural.Walken gives a strong, controlled performance as Johnny Smith, an everyman who wakes up from a 5-year coma blessed with the gift of second sight, a gift he sees as more of a curse. While he struggles with the question of how to handle this gift, he pines away for the love of his life, a woman who married another man in his absence. But when he catches a glimpse of the frightening ambitions of a local senatorial candidate, he can't just sit around anymore; he knows what he must do...This movie rides a strong wave of emotion throughout Johnny's journey. In fact, it's fair to say that the movie winds up being downright depressing. But it's also impossible to turn away from. Once you're hooked on Johnny's dilemmas, you will follow him anywhere (which is probably why someone thought it would make a good TV show). He takes a fascinating, disturbing trip full of questions regarding personal responsibility, the pros and cons of being a one-man freak show, and, most poignantly, a love that just wasn't meant to be.You will enjoy this movie. Just keep the hankies handy.