Right now I'm currently reading Oliver Stone's bio, "Chasing the Light" (it's mind-bending in its honesty) and decided number one on the Halloween 2021 viewing list is his classic 1980 film "The Hand". The term psychological horror gets used a lot, but I guess it applies here, as Michael Caine (on screen almost constantly here) wields an uncertain power carried in his eyes, (as maybe only George Clooney can do better) as he goes from stuck-up artist to possible murderous nutjob.
He's an artist, and his hand is severed in a car accident resultant from an argument with his wife, that his marriage to is in its death throes, but his ego hasn't allowed him to be aware of it.
Needless to say, the severed hand becomes the center of the film, as a small amount of characters (including Stone in a cameo as a bum) encounter it, as it walks, stalks, and chokes.
Is Michael Caine a psychopathic killer, or just losing his mind along with his ability to create and support himself? Or is there an appendage out there that is possibly linked to Caine's character's mind, doing naughty stuff in the name of revenge?
I'll leave that for you to decide. This film also qualifies as one of THE SPECTRUM FILES, and the last frame of the movie stayed in my mind from the age of 9 to my current status of just turned 50.
This movie is recommended, and has a lot going for it, such as slick editing that plays with the viewer, a strangely creepy soundtrack by James Horner of all people, and of course, an incredible performance by Michael Caine, who I'm sure was accused of slumming here, which is straight bullshit.
This is fairly early in Oliver Stone's career, and in a film lacking his usual political and conspiratorial tones, he shines anyway.
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