Film Assessment: Silent Fall (1994)


Style: Crime Thriller  

Director: Bruce Beresford  

Starring: Richard Dreyfuss, Linda Hamilton, Liv Tyler, J.T. Walsh, John Lithgow  

Operating Time: 101 minutes  

Synopsis: Autistic and incommunicative 9 year-old little one Tim Warden (Ben Faulkner) witnesses the brutal stabbing double-murder of his rich dad and mom. Therapist Dr. Jake Rainer (Richard Dreyfuss) has a checkered historical past working with autistic kids, and is persuaded by Sheriff Mitch Rivers (J.T. Walsh) to try to unlock what Tim witnessed. Tim’s older sister Sylvie (Liv Tyler) helps Jake acquire the kid’s confidence, whereas Jake’s spouse Karen (Linda Hamilton) and his rival Dr. Rene Harlinger (John Lithgow) additionally affect his involvement.

What Works Nicely: The premise of a kid witnessing a homicide is intriguing (and has been seen earlier than), and director Bruce Beresford provides gloss to the impressive-looking suburban property settings. Richard Dreyfuss isn’t lower than dedicated to the function, and Dr. Rainer is supplied with simply sufficient background context to maintain him fascinating. J.T. Walsh and John Lithgow present good help.

What Does Not Work As Nicely: After a sturdy opening, a homicide that may have shocked the group is by some means marginalized and the plotting settles all the way down to overly laid-back beats, Dr. Rainer designated by the script as the one one that can get into Tim’s head. Each alternative to indicate quite than inform is studiously prevented in a thriller that lacks suspects, suspense, and detective work. Not surprisingly, the result is simple to guess, however late-in-the-day revelations. Linda Hamilton because the nagging spouse is sadly wasted.

Key Quote:

Jake (to the incommunicative Tim): What are you seeing in there?

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