Quicksand: No Escape

Stars: Tim Matheson (Stephen King's Sometimes They Come Back, Drop Dead Fred), Donald Sutherland (JFK, Backdraft, Klute). This somewhat silly cable thriller is partially redeemed by the characteristically engaging performance of Donald Sutherland as a seedy extortionist who puts the financial finger on young Scott Reinhardt (Tim Matheson), an up and coming architect with a problem. In an effort to pump up the volume on the cash flow, Scott's partner has, initially unbeknownst to Scott, won a city building bid by paying off the mayor. When a seedy cop discovers the graft, he approaches Scott for a piece of the action, a pushing match ensues, and the cop bangs his head on a rock (for the last time). Out of the shadows steps a mystery man named "Doc" (Sutherland) who blackmails Scott to the tune of $100,000. When Scott can't pony up the coin, "Doc" decides to take his fee in services rendered. Unfortunately, for Scott, Doc's service is nothing less than cold-blooded murder--a task that Scott doesn't really feel up to. Although the style is standard TV-movie, the story offers more than the usual twists and turns (not all of them easy to swallow), and Sutherland's performance as a semi-lovable loser is fun. Audience: Thriller fans who don't look too closely at the plot might enjoy this (but keep in mind the emphasis here is on twisting story, not action), and Sutherland fans will get a kick.