Maidexpl
Entertaining from beginning to end, it maintains the spirit of the franchise while establishing it's own seal with a fun cast
Chirphymium
It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional
Aspen Orson
There is definitely an excellent idea hidden in the background of the film. Unfortunately, it's difficult to find it.
huggibear
It was quite different than the usual comedy flicks he is very well known for. I never disliked any of his movies that I'm aware of, but I truly enjoyed his type of humor (especially in Mrs. Doubtfire). It bothers me to know what people get so depressed about these days (is the world a depressing place?), even though I can't deny that I haven't been through bouts of it myself. One never knows the complexities of our humanity and why we struggle for desires being met. It was so sad to see Robin Williams depart this world, just like it was sad to hear about John Candy's death many years ago. We need these types of comedians here to keep us entertained. Why must they leave? I will sadly miss two of my three favorite comedians. The other is Steve Martin. Additionally, I also loved Rodney Dangerfield and Dan Akroyd comedy movies as well, but they were not my favorites.I digressed! Back to the movie. I thought it was intense in terms of what was going on. It has a very welcomed 'gay theme' to it. And to know this film was inspired by actual events, made it that much more interesting. I wonder if the film portrayed the events and gave the real story the due diligence it deserved. I may never know that answer, but it was a good movie. It's a solid 6 Star film for me!
zkonedog
What if the person you were talking to on the phone really wasn't who you thought he was? That is the premise behind The Night Listener, based on a phone conversation between a radio show host and a young boy whose existence could never be proved. Unfortunately, in this case the true life events were likely more compelling than this bland adaptation.For a basic plot summer, "Night Listener" tells the store of a radio talk show host (played by Robin Williams) who takes a liking to a young boy supposedly dying from a terrible disease. However, as the relationship builds, "Williams" has reason to believe that the boy may not be who he says he is (or even exist at all), thus leading to a personal investigation to find out the truth.Now, had the film actually stuck to that basic plot line, it might have been a halfways decent thriller. Instead, for whatever reason, it focuses far too much on the personal demons of "Williams" (e.g. his character's homosexuality really doesn't add anything to the film, yet is explored in great detail). Also, the relationship between "Williams" and the mystery boy in question's mother is ultimately crucial to understanding the film's conclusion, but is again too much about HIS perspective, not HERS. Like I said, more focus on the mystery at hand would have made for a more compelling experience.Thus, I think a 1.5-star rating perfectly pegs this movie, as it was only good enough to make you want to see how things turn out in the end, not so much caring about the journey to get to that point. Also, it comes nowhere close to, say, "One Hour Photo" in terms of establishing Williams as a serious actor and not just a manic comedian.
mikey16465
Starring: Robin Williams as Gabriel No oneToni Collette as Donna D. LogandRory Culkin as Pete D. LogandSandra OH as Anna The Night Listener is a tightly made psychological suspense film. The film crept up in 2006. It is an eerie tale that wraps you in slowly, with its character development and involvement. Its themes linger long after the film is over.Gabriel No one (played by Robin Williams) is a late night radio talk show host. In the beginning of the film Gabriel narrates an unusual tale, telling of his latest encounter to his listeners. His narration continues throughout the production, detailing some situations as a means of providing character development. He describes his job, which is telling stories, often exaggerated but somewhat based in truth. In this instance he wants his audience to be aware that he will try his best not to fabricate or exaggerate this tale, although it may seem exaggerated and unbelievable, this is a true story. Gabriel No one is vulnerable due to his separation with is his partner Jess (played by Bobby Cannavale) of eight years. He is having a difficult time coping, and is unable to work with this and other distractions. After one of his work sessions, Gabriel's boss discusses an idea for a book that they could author. The basis is a manuscript written by a young fourteen year old boy. The boy's story is about his up-bringing, and of the abuse that he had suffered. Gabriel takes an interest in the boy who is named Peter Logand (played by Rory Culkin) and in his adopted mother Donna Logand (played by Toni Collette). After reading the details of the boy's encounters, and learning of his and his families troubling and disturbing behavior, Gabriel understood why the boy had been affected physically and psychologically.Gabriel's state of vulnerably made the relationship with Pete all the easier. He could empathize with the boy. He took time to communicate with him and took the time necessary to share quality time with him. As their relationship grows through private communication over the phone, Gabriel's only sense is visualizing the family in his mind. One day while Gabriel's power was out, Jess observed the phone call while fixing Gabriel's power, Jess told him that the boy and Donnas' voice were the very same. The result was Gabriel's examination of all that he had accepted as true. Gabriel gained more curiosity and interest and a strong desire to unlock the mystery of the family. There is a parallel between the characters of Gabriel and Donna, they both create stories and ideas that are intended to attract the interest of others. Gabriel used parts of his relationship to create stories for his show, while Donna takes the idea further.Robin Williams's portrayal of Gabriel No one resulted in a very convincing performance which is as memorable as his 2002 film One Hour Photo. He plays the character with such great venerability and emotion, that you believe he is Gabriel No one and share in his concerns as he experiences the complexities of his relationships. Having Pete in his life lessens his plight as it addresses the void, the emptiness in his life.Toni Collette (Donna) delivers the most chilling performance in the film in spite of being cast in a role that must have been difficult to portray, a character that has many different kinds of psychological disorders. When it is realized that this film is based on a true story it is even more chilling. A terrifying, unsettling mood envelopes you, as it is learned that some among us in reality have this factual disorder. Patrick Stettner directed this piece. The phone conversations through the first half of the film were brilliantly done, showing the perspective of Gabriel's initial understanding of Peter and Donna. This serves to intensify the mood as he is forced to alter his perceptions as his view of reality changes in the second half of the film.This film is very good; however, it may be too intense. Perhaps what is keeping it from being an excellent film is the humor or lack of it. Humor could have been used to ease the tension of the suspense at the same time intensifying it, by providing a contrast to the continual unbroken drama. All other aspects exceeded well beyond the typical suspense film especially the development of thought-provoking characters, action and settings which varied in atmosphere from the contrast of New York's brightly lit day to dark and cold wintery Wisconsin. The director of photography Lisa Rinzler created a scene in particular that was startling at the hospital, where Gabriel went into the parking garage and through the dank hallway with little to no light. Making the scene all the more creepy and unsettling, upon being discovered, showing his expression of fright, and displaying more darkness and dinginess with pipes dripping as Gabriel descends out of the bottom of a unkempt hospital. This is a truly memorable scene. I highly recommend viewing this film. It may be especially beneficial to those studying psychology. Thoughts of events and emotional experiences developed in this film will linger in your mind long after the film is over.Rating: 3 ½ out of 4
Jackson Booth-Millard
I personally like Robin Williams, and will watch almost anything with him in it, that was obviously the case here, I didn't know what to expect. Basically late night radio host Gabriel No one (Williams) has his male lover needing space, so while he is gone he likes to talk to the young writer of a new manuscript, fourteen-year-old Pete D. Logand (Signs' Rory Culkin). Pete is very ill, and the only contact Gabriel has with him is through his blind adoptive mother Donna D. Logand (Toni Collette), but this relationship is very unsettling without Peter himself on the phone. Gabriel becomes suspicious of Donna, so he goes to find and confront Donna and Peter, and this is unsuccessful, we are wondering if Peter even really existed. Also starring Bobby Cannavale as Jess, Terminator 2's Joe Morton as Ashe, John Cullum as Pap No one and Bean's Sandra Oh as Anna. The story doesn't make all that much sense, and to be honest it isn't interesting enough for you to care about, even being based on real events. Adequate!
