Watch The Incident

The Incident is a dramatic thriller film directed by Joseph Sargent and starring a renowned cast of Walter Matthau, Susan Blakely, Robert Carradine, and Harry Morgan. The film's plot is set in New York City and revolves around an unfortunate event that takes place on a subway train. Walter Matthau portrays an average, middle-aged man named Paul who is frequently harangued by his wife's persistence to have him retire. One evening after work, Paul boards an ordinary subway train, with no idea how his life is about to take a catastrophic turn.

As Paul travels on the train, he encounters two troubling, psychological situations that are taking place in different carriages. The first incident takes place in a far-off train car where a group of hooligans is using their form of entertainment to steal and bully the passengers. They threaten everyone with a gun and have no intention of stopping their actions, performing their own twisted game. The second incident takes place in the next car where Joe (Robert Carradine), a restless and tormented young man pushed to the brink of madness and rage, takes passengers hostage.

Paul soon becomes the sole witness to these events, and he is forced to confront his own moral codes and sense of self-preservation. As the incidents escalate, Paul's desperation to get involved grows as he seeks both internal and external validation to know what to do next. In a classic Matthau style, the character of Paul balances the tone between comedy and poignancy, playing his role with empathy and authenticity.

The supporting cast members are equally compelling in their performances. Susan Blakely gracefully plays Paul's wife, who offers him a somewhat nuisance perspective of a retiree's life. Robert Carradine portrays Joe's character with undeniable intensity, empathy, and complexity, making the audience feel all the frustrations and pain he goes through. Harry Morgan plays the role of a detective who becomes involved in the events that unfold on the train, further adding to the tension.

The Incident is a provocative film that explores both the law of morality and the complexity of human behavior in a crisis. With a running time of 1 hour and 38 minutes, the pace of the film is gripping and moves between the emotional arcs of the individuals involved. With a strong and experienced cast, The Incident's sensitive treatment of themes such as inner-conflict, personalism, and vigilante justice add depth to the story. In particular, the train setting generates a claustrophobic feeling, which sustains the intensity and suspense of the narrative.

The movie is also remarkable for its visual style and cinematography. Made in 1990, the movie has a distinct vintage feel, capturing the essence of the era with the technical touches of low-lighting and slower camera work. Much of the set is lit up by the train's fluorescent lighting, which gives the movie a distinct gritty New York city vibe.

Although the movie was not a huge commercial success at the time of its release, it has since been recognized as an understated gem in the thriller drama genre, characterized by its excellent storytelling, fantastic performances, and thematic depth. Today, it remains a classic of its kind, providing audiences with a memorable and thought-provoking experience.

The Incident is a 1990 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.