Whispers in the Dark

Rating:
Summary: These Whispers are Not Much Fun
Review: A number of characters in this movies are sexually disturbed, and it is a matter of guessing which one of them is a killer. I won't give away the plot, but, somewhat predictably, none of the patients are guilty. And the real killer documents his crimes on tape so diligently that you have to wonder if this detail is an intentional insult directed to the audience. The movie is occasionally sexy, but unfortuantely, some moments are also nauseatingly grusome. All in all, this thriller is neither that thrilling, nor exciting.

Rating:
Summary: Solid thriller in "Basic Instinct" mold
Review: An uneasy mixture of thrills, chills and camp, "Whispers in the Dark" came out the same time as "Basic Instinct" and, although it lacks the high cheese factor that distinguishes that film, it has its moments. Psychiatrist Ann Hecker (Annabella Sciorra) is trapped in a dead end relationship which makes listening to one of her patient's (Deborah Unger in a sultry, memorable performance)unusual sexual exploits difficult. Seeking solice she seeks advice from her mentor (Alan Alda). When she becomes involved with a man (the underrated and great Jamey Sheridan) she meets in an elevator, she finds some fulfulliment. Then one of her patient's is murdered and evidence points to her new boyfriend as a possible suspect her world is turned upside down.

With a twist ending out of Agatha Christie (albeit involving sexual jealous as a motive), "Whispers in the Dark" is a bit uneven but a throughly enjoyable mystery thriller that you might see Lifetime (although without the sexual explicitness). Christopher Crowe (screenwriter of "The Last of the Mohicans")does a great job directing his screenplay. With memorable performances from a strong supporting cas including Jill Clayburgh, John Leguizamo and Anthony LaPaglia, "Whispers in the Dark" doesn't come with any extras on DVD but has a nice transfer that looks sharp with solid color reproduction.

Rating:
Summary: When shrinks go crazy
Review: Annabella Sciorra is VERY sexy in this film as a psychiatrist who is trying to both treat her patients' dysfunctional behavior as well as her own bizarre sexuality at the same time. Her performance alone is worth the price of the DVD.

The other big name in the cast is Alan Alda of MASH (Hawkeye Pierce) fame. There were times in this movie that I thought it was the Hawkeye Pierce inside of Alda that relished the chance to slam psychologists.

While the plot is fairly predictable, there are a few unexpected twists and turns along the way. The most thought-provoking aspect of the movie is just how unwieldy & powerful that shrinks can get. This is something that scares me - especially if they're vindictive and / or crazy themselves!

If you're looking for a dark & erotic psychological thriller, this one might be up your alley. I can think of worse ways to spend my evenings than having Annabella Sciorra as a guest on the screen of my HDTV!

Rating:
Summary: And now presenting.....Mr. Alan Alda
Review: Giving a performance that quite possibly stands as the worst in the history of cinema, Alan Alda sheds his sensitive image in favor of pure, unadulterated madness. Why the atypical role? Only Alda and his agent know for certain, but one wonders if he read the script prior to filming. Was it the scene when he got to smash a wine bottle against his wife's head? Was it the scene when he floated on the waves, dead, with a grappling hook embedded in his skull? Or perhaps it was the scene when he pounded his own chest in frustration and anger then returned, instantly, to mouse-like calmness? Whatever the reason, let us appreciate what Alda has given us: a film that will stand the test of time as a true guilty pleasure. The plot, which attempts to replicate the sexual kinkiness of "Basic Instinct," is pointless and dull, and one must wait almost two hours to get to Alda's meltdown. Still, how many films can you name where a killer records his confessions on clearly labeled tapes (even down to the date, time, and topic!) and expresses shock when they are found? The late Gene Siskel once described this film (and Alda's performance) as "howlingly bad." That just about says it all.

Rating:
Summary: Hey, it's good. Honest.
Review: I don't know why reviewers were so harsh with this film. It was interesting and entertaining, and it kept me quessing, even though the other contributers on this page gave away the ending without warning of "spoilers." I recommend this film when you are not in the mood for the latest "critical success/oscar contender," preferring instead a nifty little mystery. It gets points also for having a straightforward ending, and not one of this twists where you go "huh?"

Rating:
Summary: Bottom of the barrel
Review: Recent Soprano mistress, Annabella Sciorra plays a Manhattan therapist who gets in a complete mess and a murderous tangle with a new boyfriend and patient. The plot in this film is just absurd. It is a mess and you find your self screaming at Sciorra not to be such an idiot. The detective is not much better and the conclusion looks tacked on. Not a good whodunnit. Not much of anything.

It has a good cast, but the script is hopeless. The plot makes no sense, Sciorra breaks every ethical rule of therapy and the whole film is a waste of time. I do not think this will make an Alan Alda retrospective. Infact most of the cast have gone onto better things and that is the best you can say about it.

Rating:
Summary: Hey, it's good. Honest.
Review: Unger nailed her part as an obsessive patient perfectly but Sciorra seems to blunder around this film, not suspecting her mentor until the very end. I would think that if you could suspect your boyfirend so quickly and see that his face wasn't exactly real you would suspect everyone. Instead of goign that route, it makes her tunnel focused on teh always charismatic Sheridan as teh main suspect.
Great actors, with a story that doesn't quite shock.

Rating:
Summary: Problematic
Review: Unger nailed her part as an obsessive patient perfectly but Sciorra seems to blunder around this film, not suspecting her mentor until the very end. I would think that if you could suspect your boyfirend so quickly and see that his face wasn't exactly real you would suspect everyone. Instead of goign that route, it makes her tunnel focused on teh always charismatic Sheridan as teh main suspect.
Great actors, with a story that doesn't quite shock.

Rating:
Summary: This Film is Whispering to be Remade
Review: WHISPERS IN THE DARK has a terrific screenplay. It's an overlooked gem of a plot. In the claustrophobic world of New York upperclass psychiatrists, there are doctor-patient intrigues, patient-patient intrigues, and doctor-doctor intrigues. Like walking through a minefield. The author not only manages to keep them all in the air at the same time, but adds in a murder mystery with genuine surprises like a classical whodunnit. At the end of the movie I felt like standing up and shouting "REMAKE!" except it would have been futile because I was watching the VHS tape alone. The Hollywood moguls missed a good bet when they underfinanced this script. Christopher Crowe, who wrote the brilliant script, just isn't a brilliant director. You can tell because he had a superstar, Alan Alda, and got a lot less out of him than Alda could have delivered. The rest of the cast wasn't star quality. Leonard Maltin says there were "standout performances," but I have to disagree. Just imagine what a huge hit this film would be if it had a great director and a cast of real actors like Sharon Stone or Nicole Kidman in the female lead, Elliot Gould in the Alan Alda role (not that Gould is a better actor than Alda, but he can be more menacing), and William Hurt as co-star. In fact, I think this movie will be remade some day--the story is just that good! Meanwhile, should you see it? Indeed yes, if you like a well-plotted tale moderately-well told.