An adaptation of Armistead Maupin's novel, The Night Listener, is a new indie release directed by Patrick Stettner that stars Robin Williams and Toni Collette.
The Night Listener (Official, IMDb) mimics the real-life Anthony Godby Johnson story of an ultra-abused teen and his attempt at publishing his autobiography - thing is: Johnson never existed.
Patrick Stettner does what he can to stay true to Maupin's novel - and even the real-life intrigue - but this approach is not always best for a film adaptation.
Plot Killer Warning
Wanted: an ending. That's how the ads for The Night Listener should have ran. Imagine this: Luke misses with his final shot on the Death Star, or, Brody misses with that final shot, sinks into the ocean, and is eaten by the shark. I think you get where this is heading. These would make for poor, unfulfilling endings. We'd promptly get up from our theater seats, scratch our collective heads, and silently walk to the exit, mumbling: what was that all about?
The Night Listener wants desperately to be an Hitchcockian suspense movie, but it gives out at the end - a sputter, a whimper, and a death rattle as the credits role. You'll surely leave scratching your head and asking: what was that all about? Feeling just a little... well... duped.
The Night Listener's saving grace is in its acting and a dark-woods eerie score by Peter Nashel (reminiscent of Halloween.)
Robin Williams is superb as the homosexual writer/radio host, hero, Gabriel Noone - a man weakened by personal turmoil and ripe for someone to save. A guy who has trouble looking people in the eye for fear they will get a good look into his soul - and at all that pain. So when a mysterious manuscript about a teen's (Pete, Rory Culkin), abusive upbringing is given to him, Gabriel can't help but see an opportunity to save this young, troubled soul.
But Gabriel is more than just a big-hearted guy. He's our hero. And heroes have journeys and missions. And the movie cannot end until that journey or mission is complete (just like the Old West: dead or alive.)
The Night Listener builds to a suspense potential showdown between Gabriel and Donna (Toni Collette,) Pete's adopted mother, but that suspense never really takes hold - no gripping of the arms of your seat, or your date's. Turns out that Donna has fabricated this whole story, the book and all. Gabriel's been searching for Pete and the truth, and he's been kicked around quite a bit along this journey. So having him call her a liar and walk away is not a fulfilling climax for these characters.
Trouble is, a "big-heart" may be a wonderful ending for a novel, but it doesn't work for a mystery/thriller film. We need more. A mystery/thriller cannot end with our hero telling the villain that he understands her pain - that sort of response is the property of dramas.
Collette carries her share, and some, to bring suspense and intrigue to this flat film. She owns most of its best moments.
Sadly, unless you're a huge Robin Williams fan, this one can wait for your Netflix queue. If you venture to your local stadium seating venue, remember, I told you so.
Various The Night Listener things:
- Best thriller moment: A blind Toni Collette stares at us for an uncomfortably long beat
- inspired by the real life events of Anthony Godby Johnson
- Sandra Oh fits nicely opposite Williams
- Bobby Cannavale is believable as Gabriel's questioning partner
Production Companies
- Hart-Sharp Entertainment
- Fortissimo Films
- IFC Films
Distributors
- Miramax Films
