Frankie Dunlan isn't doing so well. Living in extreme poverty in Staten Island, New York with his homely sow of a wife who's a dick to him due to the fact that she originally thought she was marrying into money. Not quite, Miss America. The happy couple have also been blessed with a depressed-looking freak baby with, who brightens their days and nights with it's constant, freaky sounding crying that probably gives them both nightmares. Although, impregnating that woman must have been the biggest nightmare of all. so, again. Frankie Dunlan isn't doing so well.
Oh, and he's also pretty fucked in the head from his longer than expected stay in good 'ol Vietnam as a tortured P.O.W. So, on top of whatever damage that brought on, the poor, out-of-work bastard can't afford any of the comforts of home, including food, so, nobody's eating any time soon. Not to mention rent's due. Time to get out there and look for work, and hopefully not run into the crime boss whom he owes alot of money. But this just isn't Frankie's day. So, you know the worst is inevitable.
Great news! Mr. crime boss is totally willing to let Frankie's wife suck some dick on the side to pay the debt, and maybe even earn their little family some extra cash. Oh, but Frankie's too proud or whatever to allow such a thing to occur. Otherwise, I'm sure there'd be a line of horny men a mile long outside, waiting to get some of that. But nothin' doin' says Frankie. He's determined to take care of his family by himself, the old fashion way. Especially since there's nobody around to mug just yet. But we'll see how it goes.
As calm and accepting as he seems while roaming the streets, Frankie is a ticking time bomb. He's had just about enough of this day, and quite frankly, enough of this shitty life as well. The only thing keeping him going is the fact that his ugly wife and freak baby are counting on him to come up with something. All the ass kickings, verbal and physical. All the regrets and disappointments, all the pain and sorrow he has witnessed is just about to catch up with his damaged mind. And when Frankie hits rock bottm and finally explodes, nobody will be safe. NOBODY!Obviously, this film is not for everyone. Even the Troma lovers who enjoy fucked up shit might find this one a bit off putting. One must have have a very dark sense of humor to see the beauty in this miserable tale. And I for one see the beauty, crystal clear. One of the all-time great Tromasterpieces. Combat Shock (AKA American Nightmares) offers No redeeming charcters. No redeeming situations. Nothing gets sugar-coated. Just non-stop bleak, gritty, and depressing, with something ugly around every corner to remind you what a unforgiving world this can be. Thank you, Troma! 8/10
#Review