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Gabriel Noone is a late night radio-host in a big city, specializing in spooky tales culled from his active imagination. When Gabriel's lover decides he needs some "space" and moves out, Gabriel descends into a funk until a publisher friend brings him a manuscript written by 14 year-old Pete Logand, a troubled young fan. Pete's story touches the vulnerable Gabriel deeply. Pete was severely abused by his parents and is now under the care of his former social worker, Donna Logand, who has adopted him. Pete is very ill and he and Donna are keeping a low profile in a small town in Wisconsin to avoid discovery by Pete's mother. Gabriel develops an unsettling long-distance telephone relationship with the boy and his guardian. Nothing is as it seems and the skepticism of friends causes Gabriel to become suspicious of Donna and her motives, so he tries to resolve the loose ends by traveling to Wisconsin to confront Donna and Pete.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By F. Jackson
Format:DVD
A fantastic film with a twist at the end. Well worth watching and great acting (as usual) from Robin Williams and Toni Collette.
7 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By International Cowgirl
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
Have I been in outer space for a while, or was this tight little film just under-reviewed? I'd never heard of it, and picked it out on a whim with no clue what to expect. I'm not exactly president of the Robin Williams' fan club, and knowing that Armistead `Tales of the City' Maupin had written the source novel I kind of expected some heart-warming melting pot story with guys in chaps and moustaches... But nothing could be further from the truth, I'm happy to say. Foregoing his usual hamming, Williams barely seems to be acting at all here. As Gabriel Noone he's a middle-aged writer and radio star, desperately lonely after his long-time boyfriend walks out on him. Along comes child abuse survivor, Pete, to fill the void - a teenager wise beyond his years and author of a shocking exposé, `The Blacking Factory'. A tentative father/son relationship begins to develop. But, needless to say, all is not what it seems.
Don't be expecting The Sixth Sense. Yes, Toni Colette's in this as well (she's fantastic as Pete's 'new mom'). But if you go to the Night Listener waiting to `guess the twist' you'll be sorely disappointed. It's not about that. In fact, quite the opposite - it pretty much wears the `twist' on its sleeve for most of the film, and therein lies the beauty. It's not about `what', or `who' - it's `why' that matters. Whether it's the tight camera angles or the muted colour schemes or some other directorial trick of the trade, there's just something indefinably creepy about this film. It's a mood piece, big on atmosphere, that manages to say plenty about the human condition without a split second of sentimentality.
One quibble, though - it's over too quickly. At roughly 80 minutes, I'm guessing this is a cut version.... Read more ›
Don't be expecting The Sixth Sense. Yes, Toni Colette's in this as well (she's fantastic as Pete's 'new mom'). But if you go to the Night Listener waiting to `guess the twist' you'll be sorely disappointed. It's not about that. In fact, quite the opposite - it pretty much wears the `twist' on its sleeve for most of the film, and therein lies the beauty. It's not about `what', or `who' - it's `why' that matters. Whether it's the tight camera angles or the muted colour schemes or some other directorial trick of the trade, there's just something indefinably creepy about this film. It's a mood piece, big on atmosphere, that manages to say plenty about the human condition without a split second of sentimentality.
One quibble, though - it's over too quickly. At roughly 80 minutes, I'm guessing this is a cut version.... Read more ›
7 of 9 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
A unique and intriguing premise, unfortunately turned into a slow and unmemorable film.
21 May 2007
By Mr. D. Bell
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
The night listener starts out promisingly but ultimate just leads to a disappointing conclusion.
The film tells the story of a gay writer/broadcaster, Gabrielle Noone, (Williams) who is given an unpublished book by a publicist. It is written by a 14 year old who says he is a big fan of Noones. The book tells of a traumatic upbringing which has lead to him contracting AIDS and the boy does not appear to have long to live. He is cared for a lady (Collette) who speaks to Williams frequently on the phone but everything may not be as it seems. When Williams' boyfriend suggests that the boy, and the carer voice, sounds the same, Williams embarks on a journey to uncover the truth and see the boy for himself.
The film starts off with an interesting and intriguing opening but quickly runs out of ideas and becomes a very pedestrian paced and ordinary thriller. With such a unique story there are just no memorable scenes in the film. Whilst all the actors involved are very good, they have nowhere near enough to do. Also, the film is strangely short. A lot of films of this type are too long and over indulgent. This on the other hand seems to have had huge chunks removed as its run time is only about 75 mins. This ultimately might be a blessing in disguise though.
Overall this is a hugely disappointing film. What could have been an interesting and genuinely unsettling film ends up being a very average one. It ends up as a film which you will have forgotten you ever watched as soon as the credits are over.
The film tells the story of a gay writer/broadcaster, Gabrielle Noone, (Williams) who is given an unpublished book by a publicist. It is written by a 14 year old who says he is a big fan of Noones. The book tells of a traumatic upbringing which has lead to him contracting AIDS and the boy does not appear to have long to live. He is cared for a lady (Collette) who speaks to Williams frequently on the phone but everything may not be as it seems. When Williams' boyfriend suggests that the boy, and the carer voice, sounds the same, Williams embarks on a journey to uncover the truth and see the boy for himself.
The film starts off with an interesting and intriguing opening but quickly runs out of ideas and becomes a very pedestrian paced and ordinary thriller. With such a unique story there are just no memorable scenes in the film. Whilst all the actors involved are very good, they have nowhere near enough to do. Also, the film is strangely short. A lot of films of this type are too long and over indulgent. This on the other hand seems to have had huge chunks removed as its run time is only about 75 mins. This ultimately might be a blessing in disguise though.
Overall this is a hugely disappointing film. What could have been an interesting and genuinely unsettling film ends up being a very average one. It ends up as a film which you will have forgotten you ever watched as soon as the credits are over.
By Reader John
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I had read and immensely enjoyed the book - an excellent read, so I approached the dvd with some trepidation.
I am assuming that readers will have read the book or seen the film, so will not re-hash the plot here. (See my review of the book)
The film was something of a disappointment. At about 77 minutes running time, it felt like huge chunks had been edited out.
By comparison with the book, Gabriel's father hardly appeared at all and the unwinding of Gabriel's relationship with Jess was skimmed over, as was his growing relationship with young Pete and his adoptive mother Donna, which was at the core of the book and, I think, should have been at the core of the film.
It seemed like, almost the first two thirds of the book, had been shoehorned into the first twenty minutes of the film. The rest of the film only made sense if you knew fully what had gone before. Indeed, a friend who had not read the book, was watching it with me and had to keep asking what was going on and why. For instance, why make a point of the tank with the star on it, when the film had made no previous reference to its significance?
Once Gabriel had set off to visit Pete and Donna, the film picked up pace and interest, only departing significantly from the book at the very end. The book kind of left the reader to make up his own mind about Pete and Donna, whereas the film presented the viewer with a fait accompli, with not just one, but two final twists.
I'm a great admirer of Armistead Maupin and, it's a pity the film version doesn't do justice to the excellent book.
I am assuming that readers will have read the book or seen the film, so will not re-hash the plot here. (See my review of the book)
The film was something of a disappointment. At about 77 minutes running time, it felt like huge chunks had been edited out.
By comparison with the book, Gabriel's father hardly appeared at all and the unwinding of Gabriel's relationship with Jess was skimmed over, as was his growing relationship with young Pete and his adoptive mother Donna, which was at the core of the book and, I think, should have been at the core of the film.
It seemed like, almost the first two thirds of the book, had been shoehorned into the first twenty minutes of the film. The rest of the film only made sense if you knew fully what had gone before. Indeed, a friend who had not read the book, was watching it with me and had to keep asking what was going on and why. For instance, why make a point of the tank with the star on it, when the film had made no previous reference to its significance?
Once Gabriel had set off to visit Pete and Donna, the film picked up pace and interest, only departing significantly from the book at the very end. The book kind of left the reader to make up his own mind about Pete and Donna, whereas the film presented the viewer with a fait accompli, with not just one, but two final twists.
I'm a great admirer of Armistead Maupin and, it's a pity the film version doesn't do justice to the excellent book.
By HoHaCaboodle
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Is this for real ... an emphatic NO ! 76 minutes I'll never get back. Was going to give to a charity shop but thought wouldn't want to be a time stealer of others, a useful black bin filler. A lesson in a good idea doth not maketh a good screenplay, the writing, the execution ... was hoping for my own.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
The Night Listener (DVD Review)
I decided a while back to start a Robin Williams Collection. This was one of the films that I had not heard of, I must say that this is one that I won't be watching again. Read more
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Published on 16 Nov 2007 by Suzanne Sparkes
2.0 out of 5 stars
disappointing
Despite its apparent real life premise (author corresponds with writer of groundbreaking autobiography who may not exist), this film quickly descends into conventional... Read more
Published on 12 Nov 2007 by Stephen Newton
3.0 out of 5 stars
A good movie that doesn't live up to its potential
I have to admit I was a little disappointed by this movie. I was expecting a tense, psychological thriller (Robin Williams has more than proved his ability to deliver along these... Read more
Published on 13 May 2007 by Daniel Jolley
2.0 out of 5 stars
something of a let down
Some films sound great in theory, but are not so great in practise. A case in point would be Right At Your Door, which was a great premise but at best a so so film. Read more
Published on 5 May 2007 by Mr. Rwj Nixon
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