This movie is not good. But the cast is so good, and so compelling, that the movie is a bit more watchable than it really is. That is, Richard Dreyfuss and Liv Tyler have such charisma, general movie sympathy-vibes, and magnetism that even though they are in a bad movie, it is not totally excruciating to see them on the screen.
The movie is one of those thriller jobs where supposedly "real" psychological conditions of some of the characters play a role. As with many movies employing such a theatrical device, the glib Movie-Land behaviors exhibited by the supposed 7 year-old autistic child in the film don't resemble genuine kids afflicted with genuine disabilities so much as the behaviors resemble cartoonish soap-opera conveniences. Viewers could be reminded of Ed Norton's brilliant performance in "The Score," where the actor portrays a character who fakes mental retardation, and then flips back and forth between the fake put-on afflicted behaviors and the real criminal's behaviors throughout the film as part of the film's narrative development. Something about Norton's great work there somehow highlighted most other Movie-Land characters with mental problems as a cheapo Hollywood trick, used as a melodramatic gag when real inspiration has fled. Anyway--- the kid here was annoyingly corny as he did what can only be described as a "stand up" imitation of of a cliche.
Overall, great folks in a horrible movie. It happens sometimes. Forgive Dreyfuss and forgive Tyler--- they did go on to do better and much more real roles later on. I gave this a 3 out of 10, because of those two actors and their inherent screen presence. Otherwise, this turkey deserved the lowest possible rating.
The movie is one of those thriller jobs where supposedly "real" psychological conditions of some of the characters play a role. As with many movies employing such a theatrical device, the glib Movie-Land behaviors exhibited by the supposed 7 year-old autistic child in the film don't resemble genuine kids afflicted with genuine disabilities so much as the behaviors resemble cartoonish soap-opera conveniences. Viewers could be reminded of Ed Norton's brilliant performance in "The Score," where the actor portrays a character who fakes mental retardation, and then flips back and forth between the fake put-on afflicted behaviors and the real criminal's behaviors throughout the film as part of the film's narrative development. Something about Norton's great work there somehow highlighted most other Movie-Land characters with mental problems as a cheapo Hollywood trick, used as a melodramatic gag when real inspiration has fled. Anyway--- the kid here was annoyingly corny as he did what can only be described as a "stand up" imitation of of a cliche.
Overall, great folks in a horrible movie. It happens sometimes. Forgive Dreyfuss and forgive Tyler--- they did go on to do better and much more real roles later on. I gave this a 3 out of 10, because of those two actors and their inherent screen presence. Otherwise, this turkey deserved the lowest possible rating.