The Night Listener (2006) - Film Review
Robin Williams Stars in the Film Version of Armistead Maupin's Novel
Sep 22, 2009
Based on a novel that is, in turn, loosely based on real events, The Night Listener keeps the suspense going to its very end. True, if one has seen enough movies to have seen it all, the ending is somewhat predictable. But that doesn't make the getting there any less fun.
The Night Listener Is Based on Armistead Maupin's Bestselling Novel
Armistead Maupin, internationally acclaimed author of Tales of the City, penned an extraordinary mystery with his novel, The Night Listener. The novel is loosely based upon Maupin's real-life dealings with an abused teenage author dying from AIDS and his adoptive mother. Many believe the teenager was not real, a creation of the purported adoptive mother.
This same inquiry becomes the premise behind a taut thriller less loosely based upon the novel. Maupin co-wrote the screenplay along with Terry Anderson and director Patrick Stettner (The Business of Strangers).
The focal character is Gabriel Noone, a homosexual radio show host. Gabriel, played by Robin Williams (Good Morning Vietnam, The Fisher King, The Final Cut), is handed the autobiographical novel-to-be of Pete Logand (Rory Culkin). Moved by the horrific accounts of child abuse and the teenager's losing battle with AIDS, Gabriel befriends Pete. When he begins to suspect that Pete may be nothing more than a figment of his adoptive mother's (Toni Collette) imagination, Gabriel's friendship turns into obsession. His quest for the truth threatens to shatter several lives, not the least of which is his own.
Robin Williams and Toni Collette Give Outstanding Performances in The Night Listener
Robin Williams has proven over and over again that he is more than just a hairy comedian. From Good Will Hunting to Insomnia, Williams has shown acting chops worthy of recognition. His performance in The Night Listener is no exception.
Williams portrays Gabriel with perfection and quiet strength. His character's every emotion feels real and properly executed. Little is made of the character's homosexuality (nor that of his lover, played by Bobby Cannavale). Rather, Gabriel is both gay and human, not the farcical, stereotypical portrayal of homosexuals Hollywood embarrassingly promotes in most films. Williams and Stettner's creation of Gabriel's character is that of someone whole, and his sexuality does not detract from the film nor distract viewers in the least bit.
Toni Collette (Velvet Goldmine, The Sixth Sense, Little Miss Sunshine) puts in a characteristically stellar performance as Donna Logand, Pete's adoptive mother. Even as a blind social worker, Collette's character comes off as sinisterly dark. With a cold stare behind sunglasses alone, Collette can send chills up the toughest man's spine.
The remainder of the cast does a fine job, although even Culkin's (Signs, Igby Goes Down, Lymelife) portrayal of the abused Pete shouldn't garner too much attention. Culkin, Cannavale (The Bone Collector, Shall We Dance, Snakes on a Plane), and Sandra Oh (Waking the Dead, Cake, Sideways) all act solidly, but their roles simply do not offer opportunities to show off their acting prowess.
Overall, The Night Listener is an Above-Par Mystery with Adequate Thrills and Intrigue
The Night Listener is nowhere near to being the best movie ever made. It probably wouldn't even make the top 500. Still, it is a quality film with solid direction and a captivating plot. At 81minutes long, The Night Listener keeps up the suspense for the film's entirety and the interest of viewers who don't require deep, emotional investment.
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