The Alarmist

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The Alarmist

R

1997

1h 32m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

56%

Tomatometer

16 Reviews

14%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

After Tommy Hudler (David Arquette) starts working at a home security firm run by Heinrich Grigoris (Stanley Tucci), he falls for a customer, an attractive woman named Gale (Kate Capshaw). Heinrich eventually tells Tommy about a scam he operates where he breaks into the homes of his clients to demonstrate the importance of the alarms. When an incident happens at the home of Gale in which she and her teenage son, Howie (Ryan Reynolds), are harmed, Tommy suspects Heinrich may be involved.

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Leonard Klady

Variety

03/26/2009

It's a film of small delights rather than a home run, and an encouraging first foray for Dunsky.

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Stephen Holden

New York Times

01/01/2000

Unable to decide where to go or what tone to adopt, it ends up treading water.

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Edward Guthmann

San Francisco Chronicle

01/01/2000

2/4

As a showcase for Tucci's comic skills, "The Alarmist" succeeds. We start the film feeling buoyed by his roosterlike energy and audacity, and we end it feeling let down by a script that can't quite decide what it wants to say.

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Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

05/26/2006

2.5/4

Electric performances, the plot, and the cheerful guitar score by Christophe Beck, help make The Alarmist a fun and... well... "quirky" experience.

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

10/14/2005

2/5

James Rocchi

Netflix

11/07/2002

2/5

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steve d

@RT35616104 07/06/2020

A bit dark but never funny.

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06/09/2012

An awful movie that I couldn't turn away from.

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06/08/2012

New Feature here---Fridays Flick Pick---picking movies that many people dont know about that I found surprisingly good,........THE ALARMIST........Dont read the summary of this movie is gives away 2 huge plot points. David Arquette, Stanley Tucci and Kate Capshaw star in this quirky comedy/thriller. Look for a very very young Ryan Rennolds in probably hes weirdest role to date.......4 out of 5 stars.

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02/21/2011

Childish and obvious; stuttering continuity and mediocre all round. Maybe titivated the teenage fantacists; this doesn't get under the skin of the characters. But the actors didn't stand a chance.

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11/23/2010

David Arquette is so cute! And I like him so much！

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05/20/2010

Good movie, good plot, excellent cast. As sad as this may sound, as funny as the movie can be, it is also serious. Someone who installs a security system of some sort may actually break into your house or car.

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Evan Dunsky

Director

David Arquette

Tommy Hudler

Stanley Tucci

Heinrich Grigoris

Kate Capshaw

Gale Ancona

Mary McCormack

Sally

Ryan Reynolds

Howard Ancona

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Synopsis

After Tommy Hudler (David Arquette) starts working at a home security firm run by Heinrich Grigoris (Stanley Tucci), he falls for a customer, an attractive woman named Gale (Kate Capshaw). Heinrich eventually tells Tommy about a scam he operates where he breaks into the homes of his clients to demonstrate the importance of the alarms. When an incident happens at the home of Gale in which she and her teenage son, Howie (Ryan Reynolds), are harmed, Tommy suspects Heinrich may be involved.

Director: Evan Dunsky
Producer: Dan Stone, Lisa Zimble
Screenwriter: Keith Reddin, Evan Dunsky
Distributor: Columbia Tristar
Production Co: Key Entertainment
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 7, 1997, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $61.7K
Runtime: 1h 32m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby