Small Kill (1992) User Reviews

Not so bad

[fuzzycraig · 13 October 2005]

This film was recommended to me by a fairly reliable source, and I have to say that despite the clichés of the script and some poor special fx, it wasn't so bad. Excellent acting by Gary Berghoff, Jason Miller, and a young Jennifer Skirkanich really enabled this film to rise above the genre.

It should be noted that the film does fall into the classic Hollywood trap of demonizing gays. Although Berghoff's direction and acting breathe some life into the character of fleck, it seems his homosexuality only serves to paint him as "crazy." Another problem in the realm of Fleck's sexuality, is the apparent confusion over his pedophilia (ie it;s never clear whether his interest in the kidnapped children is prurient or purely mercantile.)

in the end, it is Skirkanich's performance that saves the day.

Disturing thriller

[lor_ · 7 July 2023]

My review was written in February 1992 after watching the film at a Manhattan screening room.

Gary Burghoff, likable "Radar" in TV's "Mash" series, becomes a heavy with excellent results in "Small Kill". Low-budget police thriller is debuting theatrically on its home turf on Long Island in April, with a Showtime cablecast to follow.

Burghoff topliens as a kidnapper of children who's working for a local drug lord (Mark McKelvey). He has an interesting m.o., using bank clerks to scout for famiiies with the ability to pay before snatching their kids.

The diminutive actor underplays and uses a chiling vocal pattern to shake any image of his previous nice-guy roles. Script also paints the character as a pervert, with plenty of menace generated as to whether he will kill or abuse the children.

Young cops on the case Fred Carpenter (who also co-produced and co-scripted the feature) and Donni Kehr are new faces who make a comfortable team. Kehr is the self-destructive one, a recovering alcoholic, while Carpenter is the family man, replete with supportive wife Rebecca Ferratti (a former Playboy model).

Debuting directo Rob Fresco keeps the suspense alive and handles action scenes well. Supporting cast is effective, with a nice turn by Jason Miller as a friendly wino and sexy bit by Dona Monique as a stripper/prostitute almost as dangerous as Burghoff.

The film has an unusual end credit noting that Burghoff co-directed his scenes. Tech contributions including gory makeup effects are well done.