The Night Listener

By: Lovey

Director: Patrick Stettner
Cast: Robin Williams, Toni Collette, Rory Culkin, Bobby Cannavale, Sandra Oh, Joe Morton and John Cullum
Rating: 4 out of 5
 
Get ready DVDetail readers, because The Night Listener is a movie you must see. I can’t go into too many details about the movie because I don't want to give anything away, but what I can tell you is that is has a great story line that will have you thinking long after the credits have rolled.
 
In brief Gabriel Noone (Robin Williams) is a famous radio talkshow host who begins speaking with a young fan, Pete Longard (Rory Culkin) and his mother (Toni Collette) via the telephone. After some initial chit chat, questions come up about the boy's identity which throws Noone’s life into chaos. What follows is a nailbiting story that has to be seen to be appreciated.

It milks every ounce of anxiety and suspense from the unique storyline, and cranks up the tension at every turn.
 
It’s worth talking up the superb line up of talented actors that feature.
 
First there's Robin Williams. Over his extensive career we've seen him play a cross-dressing dad, a flubby scientist, a robot, a gay nightclub owner and a obsessed photo clerk. Most of his roles have been brilliant but there has been some hit and miss - personally I had trouble seeing Williams as anything but funny. But, credit where it’s due, his role as famous radio host Gabriel Noone won me over.
 
Toni Collette is amazing, and as for Rory Culkin – his role shows he's moved well and truly out from the shadows of his older brother and should finally get some recognition for coming into his own.
 
So, if you like an original story line, a great cast, twists and turns that leave you intrigued and shocked, then The Night Listener is a movie for you.

Verbatim:
Gabriel Noone: “Real isn't how you were made. It's the thing that happens to you. I'm Gabriel Noone. Goodnight.”

In a word: Intriguing