I got this info from the Slickest Soft-Spoken Spy in town, and it sheds some light on the business of the NRG. That's right the organization with a mad on on you, me and everyone here at AICN. However, their anger will not deter us from revealing their job. You ever wonder how films become bland? Well, part of it comes down to the work the NRG does. Besides holding test screenings, the NRG also does some telephoning, where they run plots and stories by folks sitting at home, minding their own affairs. I have also heard that they do this at malls. So while people are watching The Price Is Right, they ask them what they'd like to see in a film. Or while listening to Dawn of the Dead Mall Music they ask them to listen to an idea of a movie. ARGH!!! Well, currently they are tele-testing the ideas behind THE MOD SQUAD and RESCUE ME. Here's what you may hear over the phone...
This information came from a film-fan friend of mine who got a call from a market research firm earlier today. He was asked several questions about "Mod Squad" (no "The" he said) and "Rescue Me" (the Elizabeth Shue autistic-to-genius film that was under the working title "Molly.") and given plot synopses of both films. According to the call, the basic plot goes like this....
Linc, Julie and Pete are arrested for various drug offenses and given the opportunity to avoid jail by becoming special police officers by Capt. Greer. They are supposed to help infiltrate a drug ring. There's just one catch: they aren't given, nor are they allowed to have any guns. Their first big operation is a major screw-up. None of the other cops likes them: only Greer stands behind them. He gives them one last chance... breaking up an underage call-girl ring. While investigating, they come across Greer talking to some of the drug dealers they know to be involved with the call-girl ring. The next day, Greer turns up dead and in possession of a large amount of cocaine or heroine (my bud couldn't remember which.) His replacement immediately disbands the team and sends them away. Of course they smell a rat and decide to investigate on their own. They find a "tangled web of deception" (the caller's words, obviously read) "where sometimes the good guys are the bad guys."
He (my friend) further went on to mention that he was asked a lot of questions specifically about nudity and violence and if it would deter him from seeing the film. They also mentioned the term "hardcore action." Since filming hasn't even started yet, the studio must be trying to gauge their audience. Of course, he's a big fan of the TV show and told them that the more boobs and bullets the better, especially if the boobs belong to Claire. (I'm hoping he was joking about that, otherwise his responses will probably be tossed out.) It sounds like at the moment they're working on an R rating and I hope it stays that way - I'm a big fan of the show, as well.
As for "Rescue Me," he said they gave him a major spoiler, although with such a formula film, it's not exactly an unexpected one. After becoming a genius for a while Molly begins to have severe headaches and starts regressing. There's nothing the doctors can do to stop it and eventually she's just like she was before. Only now her brother who's life she had been making a living hell, now appreciates her more and realizes how much he means to her. (Gee, that's original.) Anyway, that's all I've got for now. The next time I have some news, I'll be sure and contact you.
