Review: 'Disturbance' Good Old-Fashioned Thriller
Filmmaking Techniques Keep You Off Guard
POSTED: 8:19 a.m. EST November 2, 2001
'Domestic Disturbance' (PG-13)
"Domestic Disturbance" does exactly what it sets out to do -- creates a believable sequence of events that build up the fright level, yet stays grounded in reality.
In many movies like this one, the director is tempted to make the villain so evil and his exploits so outlandish that you are distracted by the implausibilities. But "Domestic Disturbance" follows Alfred Hitchcock's penchant for setting evil against a backdrop of innocuous, familiar surroundings.
John Travolta plays Frank, a boat builder in Southport, Md. His ex-wife Susan (Teri Polo) is about to be remarried to Rick (Vince Vaughn), a man who has been in town for a couple of years and seems to be very well off. Frank and Susan's son, Danny (Matthew O'Leary), has been acting out and telling lies because he is not happy about his mother's plans, but with some prodding from his parents he tries to keep things civil.
But when Danny discovers that Rick is not really who he says he is and tries to tell police, they don't believe him because of his past propensity for getting in trouble and lying.
But Rick knows that the boy knows and threatens Danny into silence to protect his family's lives.
Vaughn is razor sharp as the former felon who is trying to create a new life for himself, but is threatened by his former partner in crime, Ray (Steve Buscemi). Rick is smooth and understanding in front of Susan and other people, but when he is threatened he can appear from the shadows and intimidate or get rid of anyone in his way.
Travolta does a credible job as the loving father who desperately tries to rescue his son from the influence of Rick. He's not exactly convincing as a callused, seaworthy boat builder, but his passion for his family is right on the money.
O'Leary as the son is especially convincing. Just enough defiance and sulkiness to seem like a real 12-year-old, without the smart attitude and smart mouth of many other movie kids. When he is frightened he is not just fearful for himself, you can tell that he is afraid for his whole family.
Director Harold Becker builds the tension gradually and naturally, spreading out his thrills and chills for this crowd-pleasing ride. The editing is sharp ? building and releasing tension in a way that keeps you off guard and satisfied.
"Domestic Disturbance" is a good old-fashioned thriller with good guys, bad guys and a boatload of escapism.
"Domestic Disturbance" does exactly what it sets out to do -- creates a believable sequence of events that build up the fright level, yet stays grounded in reality.
In many movies like this one, the director is tempted to make the villain so evil and his exploits so outlandish that you are distracted by the implausibilities. But "Domestic Disturbance" follows Alfred Hitchcock's penchant for setting evil against a backdrop of innocuous, familiar surroundings.
John Travolta plays Frank, a boat builder in Southport, Md. His ex-wife Susan (Teri Polo) is about to be remarried to Rick (Vince Vaughn), a man who has been in town for a couple of years and seems to be very well off. Frank and Susan's son, Danny (Matthew O'Leary), has been acting out and telling lies because he is not happy about his mother's plans, but with some prodding from his parents he tries to keep things civil.
But when Danny discovers that Rick is not really who he says he is and tries to tell police, they don't believe him because of his past propensity for getting in trouble and lying.
But Rick knows that the boy knows and threatens Danny into silence to protect his family's lives.
Vaughn is razor sharp as the former felon who is trying to create a new life for himself, but is threatened by his former partner in crime, Ray (Steve Buscemi). Rick is smooth and understanding in front of Susan and other people, but when he is threatened he can appear from the shadows and intimidate or get rid of anyone in his way.
Travolta does a credible job as the loving father who desperately tries to rescue his son from the influence of Rick. He's not exactly convincing as a callused, seaworthy boat builder, but his passion for his family is right on the money.
O'Leary as the son is especially convincing. Just enough defiance and sulkiness to seem like a real 12-year-old, without the smart attitude and smart mouth of many other movie kids. When he is frightened he is not just fearful for himself, you can tell that he is afraid for his whole family.
Director Harold Becker builds the tension gradually and naturally, spreading out his thrills and chills for this crowd-pleasing ride. The editing is sharp ? building and releasing tension in a way that keeps you off guard and satisfied.
"Domestic Disturbance" is a good old-fashioned thriller with good guys, bad guys and a boatload of escapism.
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