Stir of Echoes (1999)

Director:

David Koepp

Writers (WGA):

Richard Matheson (novel)
David Koepp (screenplay)

Release Date:

10 September 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Thriller | Horror | Mystery

Tagline:

Some doors weren't meant to be opened.

Plot:

After being hypnotized by his sister in law, a man begins seeing haunting visions of a girl's ghost and a mystery begins to unfold around her.

Plot Keywords:

Ghost | Party | Neighborhood | Disappearance | Hypnosis

Awards:

3 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Zachary David Cope	...	Jake Witzky
Kevin Bacon	...	Tom Witzky
Kathryn Erbe	...	Maggie Witzky
Illeana Douglas	...	Lisa Weil
Kevin Dunn	...	Frank McCarthy
Conor O'Farrell	...	Harry Damon
Lusia Strus	...	Sheila McCarthy
Stephen Eugene Walker	...	Bobby
Mary Kay Cook	...	Vanessa Damon
Larry Neumann Jr.	...	Lenny
Jennifer Morrison	...	Samantha Kozac (as Jenny Morrison)
Richard Cotovsky	...	Neighborhood Man
Steve Rifkin	...	Kurt Damon
Chalon Williams	...	Adam McCarthy
Liza Weil	...	Debbie Kozac, the Babysitter
George Ivey	...	Security Guard
Lisa Lewis	...	Mrs. Kozac, Debbie's Mother
Mike Bacarella	...	Train Station Cop #1
Christian Stolte	...	Train Station Cop #2
Eddie Bo Smith Jr.	...	Neil the Cop
Hyowon K. Yoo	...	Korean Woman
James Andelin	...	Elderly Man
Karen Vaccaro	...	Upset Woman
Antonio Polk	...	Homey
Rosario Varela	...	Latin Woman
Duane Sharp	...	Polish Priest
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
David Buck	...	Paul Preston (archive footage)
Roger Delgado	...	Hasmid (archive footage)
Maggie Kimberley	...	Claire (archive footage)
Reese Foster	...	Party Attendee (uncredited)
Kevin Scott Greer	...	Party Goer (uncredited)
Lou Meza	...	Gothic Street Punk (uncredited)
Larry Nazimek	...	Block Party Participant (uncredited)

Directed by
David Koepp

Writing credits (WGA)
Richard Matheson		(novel "A Stir of Echoes")
David Koepp		(screenplay)

Produced by
Judy Hofflund	....	producer
Gavin Polone	....	producer
Michele Weisler	....	executive producer

Original Music by
James Newton Howard

Cinematography by
Fred Murphy		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Jill Savitt

Casting by
Mary Colquhoun

Production Design by
Nelson Coates

Art Direction by
David W. Krummel		(as David Krummel)

Set Decoration by
Susie Goulder

Costume Design by
Leesa Evans

Makeup Department
Jim Beinke	....	makeup effects design and supervision
Villamor Cruz	....	makeup effects crew (as Vilamor Cruz)
Tony Gardner	....	special makeup designer
Tony Gardner	....	special makeup effects artist
Lun Yé Hodges	....	key hair stylist
Tara McCarthy	....	additional hair stylist (as Tara Ann McCarthy)
Linda Melazzo	....	key makeup artist
Suzi Ostos	....	additional makeup artist
Paul Palos	....	makeup effects crew
Lilo Tauvao	....	makeup effects crew
Laine Trzinski	....	assistant hair stylist (as Elaine Cascio)
Chip Williams	....	assistant makeup artist
Chip Williams	....	special makeup effects artist
Chet Zar	....	makeup effects crew
James Lacey	....	additional makeup artist (uncredited)

Production Management
Bill Block	....	executive in charge of production
Thomas J. Busch	....	unit production manager (as Tom Busch)
Robert Hoffman	....	post-production supervisor
Laura Stuart	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Carla Corwin	....	first assistant director
Don H. Julien	....	second assistant director (as Don Julien)
Robert Schick	....	second second assistant director (as Bob Schick)

Art Department
Ernesto Alicea	....	laborer
Frank Battaglia	....	labor foreman
Terry Baughman	....	set designer
Michael Beavers	....	carpenter (as Michael J. Beavers)
David Best	....	painter
Wendy Bonn	....	painter
Wendy Bonn	....	props creation & painting
Wendy Bonn	....	scenic artist
Scott Borisy	....	swing gang
Mary A. Brady	....	assistant set dressing buyer (as Mary Brady)
Carmen Caputo Jr.	....	carpenter
Steve Cassettari	....	swing gang
Brian Cho	....	art department coordinator
James Cimbalista	....	paint foreman
Helmer Claesson	....	on-set dresser
Ray Conchado	....	laborer (as Ray Concardo)
John Coven	....	storyboard artist
Ronald Coy	....	painter
Robert DeVaughan	....	carpenter
Jeff Dieter	....	swing gang
George DiSalvo	....	carpenter
Ralph Divizio	....	carpenter
Phillip Ellman	....	lead man
Randy J. Eppers	....	carpenter (as Randy Eppers)
Paul Fountain	....	laborer
Kenneth J. Gagnon Jr.	....	assistant property master (as Ken Gagnon Jr.)
Gene Garza	....	laborer
James Gerhardt	....	carpenter
Ron Grenko	....	carpenter
Lawrence Hammer	....	set dresser
Lawrence Hammer	....	swing gang (as Larry Hammer)
James Handley	....	carpenter
David Hansen	....	painter
James Hartnett	....	construction foreman (as Jim Hartnett)
Damon Hennessey	....	laborer
Amelia Hochberg	....	assistant set dressing buyer
Scott Horwitz	....	laborer
Daniel Hunt	....	carpenter
Craig Jackson	....	carpenter
Lester Johnson	....	on-set painter
Lester Johnson	....	painter
Michael Joyce	....	plasterer
John P. Kenny III	....	construction coordinator (as John Kenny III)
Kevin Kenny	....	carpenter
Richard King	....	carpenter
Lynett Koetz	....	assistant set dressing buyer
Judy Kropsch	....	assistant set dressing buyer
Anthony Maentanis	....	laborer
Anthony Mell	....	carpenter
Elaine Miller	....	painter
Mike Monckton	....	paint foreman
Katherine Morgan	....	art department assistant
Bruce Mullins	....	carpenter
Derek T. Mullins	....	tattoo designer
Michael Murtaugh	....	painter
Bob Myers	....	labor foreman
Gerry Navarrete	....	painter
Russell O'Connor	....	carpenter
Chuck O'Malley	....	carpenter
John O'Malley	....	carpenter
Jill M. Pappas	....	carpenter
Darryl Parker	....	carpenter
Patricia Paulicki	....	painter
Chris Peterson	....	painter
John Rigden	....	property assistant
Hugo Santiago	....	set designer
Marc Alan Schneider	....	carpenter
Thomas Schweis	....	carpenter
John Simpson	....	painter
Wilmer Snow	....	painter
Gary Speckman	....	set designer
Kelly Stamper	....	assistant to designer
Warren Stern	....	location foreman
Glenn Stevens	....	carpenter
Marlene 'Mars' Strentz	....	set dressing buyer
Timothy W. Tiedje	....	property master
Darryl Turner	....	carpenter
Devin Tuuri-Derby	....	painter
Rosario Varela	....	artwork: Lisa
Donald Volpe	....	laborer
Paul Volpe	....	laborer
Robert Waddell	....	carpenter (as Bob Waddell)
Graham Walker	....	location foreman
Gregory Weber	....	painter
James Weber	....	painter
Tim Wilp	....	lead scenic
Dan Yates	....	carpenter
Jacob Zawacki	....	carpenter
Ken Sowinski	....	painter (uncredited)

Sound Department
Carmen Baker	....	supervising sound editor
Gregg Barbanell	....	foley artist
Ted Barela	....	sound crew
Jim Brookshire	....	dialogue editor
G.W. Brown	....	adr supervisor
Guy Carbonneau	....	second sound engineer (as Guy Charbonneau)
Tim Chau	....	sound re-recording mixer
Tim Chau	....	sound
Andy D'Addario	....	sound re-recording mixer
Robert Dodd	....	additional boom operator
Robert Dodd	....	additional cable operator
James Fahlgren	....	sound crew
Kurt Nicholas Forshager	....	sound effects editor (as Kurt N. Forshager)
Jim Gaudio	....	additional boom operator
Jim Gaudio	....	additional cable operator
Rich Green	....	foley artist
Eric Johnston	....	sound crew
Doc Kane	....	adr mixer (as Louis 'Doc' Kane)
Steve Kohler	....	dubbing recordist
Adam Kopald	....	sound effects editor
Laura Macias	....	foley artist
Donald J. Malouf	....	sound effects editor (as Donald Malouf)
Martin Maryska	....	sound designer
Reggie McGuire	....	sound effects editor
L.E. Mobile	....	sound recordist
Piero Mura	....	foley editor
Neil Porter	....	dubbing recordist (as Neal Porter)
Daniel Richter	....	production sound mixer (as Daniel J. Richter)
Scott D. Smith	....	production sound mixer (as Scott Smith)
Chris Sparkes	....	dubbing recordist
Todd Toon	....	supervising sound editor
Mark A. Tracy	....	first assistant sound editor
Trevor Ward	....	stereo sound consultant: Dolby
Scott Warren	....	boom operator
Scott Weber	....	foley mixer

Special Effects by
Roger Barski	....	on-set special effects laborer
Rodman Kiser	....	on-set special effects foreman
John D. Milinac	....	on-set special effects (as John Milinac)
David Simone	....	on-set special effects laborer
Roy Unger	....	director of photography: special effects, ghost tests unit
Mark Weidling	....	on-set special effects laborer

Visual Effects by
Alec Bartsch	....	digital artist: BFTRE
Casey Cannon	....	visual effects supervisor: BFTRE
Glenn Cannon	....	video playback supervisor: BFTRE
Brent O. Coert	....	visual effects coordinator: BFTRE (as Brent Coert)
Hitoshi Inoue	....	digital artist: BFTRE
Fred Lacayanga	....	I/O manager: BFTRE
Travis Langley	....	technical director: BFTRE
Van Ling	....	visual effects supervisor: BFTRE
Josh Saeta	....	digital artist: BFTRE
Debra Sanderson	....	visual effects editor: BFTRE
Gunther Schatz	....	digital artist: BFTRE
Kerry Shea	....	visual effects production manager: BFTRE
Martha Soehendra	....	digital artist: BFTRE
Derick Tortorella	....	technical supervisor: BFTRE
Todd Vaziri	....	lead digital artist: BFTRE
Nadine Casamayou	....	assistant editor: BFTRE (uncredited)
Kristine McPherson	....	visual effects editor: BFTRE (uncredited)

Stunts
James Fierro	....	stunts
Mark Harper	....	stunts
Rick Le Fevour	....	stunt coordinator (as Rick LeFevour)
Stacy Logan	....	stunts
Tom Lowell	....	stunts
Daniel Maldonado	....	stunts
Carl Paoli	....	stunts
Mark G. Pavuk	....	stunts
Linda Perlin	....	stunts
Randy Popplewell	....	stunts
Kenneth Remer	....	stunts
Bobby Stuart	....	stunts (as Bob Stuart)
Larry C. Tankson	....	stunts (as Larry Tankson)

Camera and Electrical Department
Richard Beck	....	rigging grip
Sam Bertone	....	electrician
Paul Bianco	....	additional electrician
Alphonse Blumenthal	....	gaffer
Kelly R. Borisy	....	key grip (as Kelly Borisy)
Fernando Bridges	....	additional electrician
Travis Busenbark	....	grip
Frank Byrne	....	second assistant camera: second unit (as Frank Burns)
Karel Capek	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera
Mark Castelaz	....	additional grip
Luis Cato	....	additional electrician
Theodore A. Corso	....	additional electrician (as Theodore Corso)
Ronald Crededio	....	additional grip
Gerrit Dangremond	....	camera operator: "b" camera
Charles W. DelGreco	....	rigging grip (as Charles DelGreco)
James Dennison	....	additional grip
Roger Doherty	....	generator operator
Martin Ferguson	....	additional grip
Joey Fishman	....	additional grip
Fred Folmer	....	best boy grip
John P. Friday	....	best boy electric (as John Friday)
Linda Gacsko	....	second assistant camera
Christopher Glasgow	....	additional electrician
Timothy Hale	....	camera technician
Jim Handley	....	grip (as Jim Handly)
Rory Herbster	....	electrician
Steven Hiller	....	first assistant camera (as Steve Hiller)
Jacqui Howell	....	second assistant camera: "b" camera (as Jacqueline Howell)
Dave June	....	first assistant camera: second unit
Michael Kohnhorst	....	director of photography: second unit
Eric Leach	....	camera technician
Ron Leahy	....	additional grip (as Ronald Leahy)
Stanley Mack	....	additional grip
Brian McKinley	....	additional electrician
Donna McLain	....	additional grip
Steve Meyers	....	rigging best boy gaffer
Thomas Mullaney	....	rigging grip
Chris Mulsoff	....	additional camera operator
Dave Murphy	....	additional electrician (as David Murphy)
Charles Orr	....	rigging key grip (as Charles 'Chip' Orr)
Don Parsons	....	rigging electrician
Sean Peacock	....	gaffer: second unit
Frank Perl	....	camera operator
Walter J. Piers	....	grip (as Walter Piers)
Peter Ploger	....	additional camera operator
Ray Pope	....	electrician
Rob Pound	....	additional grip
Rolland Pudil	....	rigging grip
Bill Reilly	....	additional electrician
Rick Rios	....	electrician
James Ritchie	....	rigging gaffer
Chris Ryerson	....	grip
Robert P. Sanchez	....	first assistant camera: second unit (as Robert Sanchez)
Mike A. Scheitler	....	additional electrician
Kristine Scott Schultz	....	camera loader
Bill Sears	....	rigging electrician (as William Sears)
Thomas Sedor	....	additional grip (as Thomas J. Sedor)
Dean M. Simmon	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera (as Dean Simmon)
H. David Stephenson	....	additional electrician (as David Stephenson)
Jason Storandt	....	dolly grip
Christy Taddeo	....	additional grip
Alan Thatcher	....	camera operator: "b" camera
Rick Thomas	....	additional grip
Tim Thompson	....	additional grip (as Timothy Thompson)
Matthew Tufano	....	additional electrician
Roy Unger	....	director of photography: ghost tests unit
Greg Van Horn	....	electrician (as Gregory R. VanHorn)
Andy Walzer	....	video assistant
Glen Weiberg	....	video engineer
Michael P. Weinstein	....	still photographer (as Michael Weinstein)
David Williamson	....	additional grip
Kevin Wisor	....	additional electrician
Bill Wruer	....	additional camera operator
Dino P. Yario	....	grip (as Dino Yario)
Daniel Yates	....	additional electrician
Andrew Yuncza	....	additional electrician

Casting Department
Randall E. Flinn	....	casting assistant (as Randall Flinn)
Barbara Harris	....	adr voice casting
Mickie Paskal	....	casting: Chicago
Mark A. Ridge	....	extras casting (as Mark Ridge)
Rachel Tenner	....	casting: Chicago

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Mardie Anderson	....	costumer: Kevin Bacon (as Mardie Hughes)
Stella Cottini	....	costume supervisor
Gina Marie Ome	....	set costumer

Editorial Department
John Axelrad	....	first assistant editor
Gary Burritt	....	negative cutter
Mike Milliken	....	color timer
Rob Neel	....	colorist
Fred C. Vitale	....	assistant film editor
Steve Kraus	....	editing systems technician (uncredited)

Music Department
Maria Alonte	....	executive in charge of music: Nettwerk Productions
Jeff Atmajian	....	orchestrator
Charlie Bouis	....	score recordist
Sandy DeCrescent	....	orchestra contractor
Ken Gruberman	....	music preparation
James T. Hill	....	electronic score producer (as J.T. Hill)
James Newton Howard	....	orchestrator
James Newton Howard	....	score producer
Shawn Murphy	....	score mixer
Shawn Murphy	....	score recordist
David Olson	....	music editor
David Sabee	....	orchestra contractor
Jim Weidman	....	supervising music editor

Transportation Department
Joseph A. Alfano	....	driver (as Joseph Alfano)
Ramon C. Anderson	....	driver (as Ramon Anderson)
Mike Bremer	....	driver
Gregory Cagle	....	driver
Paul Cipich	....	transportation captain
Bob Costello	....	driver
Antimo Fiore	....	driver (as Antimo Fioré)
Chris Frigo	....	driver
Steve Hardy	....	driver
James Hogan Jr.	....	driver
James Hogan Sr.	....	driver
Joseph Losavio	....	driver
Henry Matesi	....	driver
John P. McAuliffe	....	transportation coordinator (as John McAuliffe)
John Nallen	....	transportation co-captain
Tom O'Malley	....	driver
Steven O'Toole	....	driver
David Oczkowicz	....	driver
Jim Plamas	....	driver
John Schmidt	....	driver
Thomas Schrul	....	driver
Charles Turibio Sr.	....	driver
Daniel Valente	....	driver
Robert C. Vos	....	driver (as Bob Vos)
Spero Zappas	....	driver
Michael Zebell	....	driver (as Michael Zbell)
Greg Zebrauskas	....	driver

Other crew
Matt Adler	....	adr voice
Jesus Alvarado	....	catering assistant
Todd Bachmann	....	assistant production coordinator
Carol Bair	....	stand-in: Kathryn Erbe
Steve Beeson	....	production accountant
Anne Berger	....	key set production assistant
Brian Bruskrud	....	assistant accountant
Vivian Cannon	....	production executive: Hufflund/Polone
Jack Clancy	....	construction medic
John Clancy	....	additional medic
Tom Creedon	....	hand piercee
Robert Cribben Jr.	....	construction medic
Michael D. Cronin	....	additional medic (as Michael Cronin)
Carlos Crume	....	office production assistant
Jacque E. Day	....	location scout (as Jacque Day)
Michelle A. De Mayo	....	post-production accountant (as Michelle A. Pante)
Wileen Dragovan	....	location manager
Dominique Fichera	....	assistant: Ms. Weisler
Greg Finley	....	adr voice
Jeff Fischer	....	adr voice
Jim Freer	....	main operator
Will Gatlin	....	craft service
Richard Grant	....	auricle central systems
Russell Green	....	set production assistant
Barbara Harris	....	adr voice (as Barbara Iley)
Jeffrey Hurt	....	craft service
Amy James	....	set production assistant
Bob Jones	....	hand piercing supervisor
C. David Jones	....	set production assistant (as Charles Jones)
Karen Kay	....	hand piercer
Carlyle King	....	adr voice
Renee Kitterman	....	set production assistant
Nicole Kleppe	....	assistant: Mrs. Hufflund
Thomas Koch	....	construction medic
John Lafayette	....	adr voice
David Leonard	....	set production assistant
Cliff Lissner	....	office intern
Kathryn Madden	....	set medic (as Kathy Madden)
Scott A. Martin	....	stand-in
James R. McAllister	....	assistant location manager (as James McAllister)
David McCharen	....	adr voice
Richard McGregor	....	adr voice
Susan Mieras	....	assistant: Mr. Bacon
Janice Naehu	....	assistant: Mr. Koepp (as Janice Pumehana Naehu)
Mary Nars	....	set production assistant
James Nicolay	....	assistant: Mrs. Hufflund (as Jim Nicolay)
Margaret J. Orlando	....	production coordinator
Carrie Oviatt	....	construction accountant
Andrew Paulo	....	other crew
Teresa Phelps	....	set production assistant
Terrie Quinlan	....	studio teacher
David Randolph	....	adr voice
Owen J. Rice	....	location assistant (as Owen Rice)
Diane Salerno	....	product placement
Cid Swank	....	unit publicist
Barbara Tuss	....	script supervisor
Collette VanLoon	....	assistant chef (as Colette Van Loon)
Bill Vergos	....	office production assistant
Raymond Vicari	....	police advisor
Rick Ward	....	additional medic (as Patrick J. Ward)
Doug Wax	....	stand-in: Kevin Bacon
Heather White	....	set production assistant
Allen Wong	....	first assistant accountant
Christopher Wright	....	additional medic
James York	....	additional medic
Ruth Zalduondo	....	adr voice
Andrew Golov	....	studio executive (uncredited)
Timothy Scott Ralston	....	studio projectionist (uncredited)
Cathy Ziehl	....	studio assistant (uncredited)

Thanks
Brian De Palma	....	special thanks
John Kamps	....	special thanks
Neil Landau	....	special thanks
Steven Soderbergh	....	special thanks
Andrew Kevin Walker	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Artisan Entertainment (presents)

Distributors

• Alliance (1999) (Canada) (theatrical)
• Art Port (2005) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Independent Films (2000) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (Brazil) (DVD)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (Brazil) (VHS)
• 20th Century Fox Italia
• 20th Century Fox
• 20th Century Fox de Argentina (Argentina)
• Artisan Entertainment
• CCI (France)
• Egmont Entertainment (2000) (Finland) (video)
• Filmes Castello Lopes (Portugal)
• Gativideo (Argentina) (video)
• Highlight Film (2000) (Germany) (DVD)
• Mainostelevisio (MTV3) (2004) (Finland) (TV)
• Mars Distribution (France)
• New Films International
• Nordisk Film (2001) (Sweden) (DVD)
• SubTV (2003) (Finland) (TV)
• Universal Pictures Benelux (2001) (Netherlands) (DVD) (VHS)
• Universal Pictures Benelux (2009) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Yorin (2003) (Netherlands) (TV) (first national airing)

Special Effects

• Alterian (uncredited)
• Banned from the Ranch Entertainment (BFTRE) (visual effects)

Other Companies

• AON/Albert G. Ruben Insurance Services  insurance
• Axium Payroll Services  payroll services provided by
• Banque Internationale A Luxembourg S.A.  production financing provided by
• Buena Vista Sound  sound editing and re-recording
• Catering Hotline  catering
• Chicago Audio Works  production sound services
• City National Bank  production financing provided by
• D.E.S.  avid equipment provided by
• Eagle Eye Digital Film  bem editing system provided by
• Eat Your Hearts Out  catering
• Film Finances  completion guarantor
• Gibson Dunn & Crutcher  financial services provided by
• Le Mobile  score recorded by
• Lightnin' Production Rentals  transportation equipment
• Nettwerk Records  soundtrack
• Pacific Title/Mirage  titles and opticals
• Salerno & Associates  product placement
• St. Thomas Chapel, Seattle  recorded at

Also Known As:

MPAA:

Rated R for violence, sexuality and language

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Chile:14 | Finland:K-16 | France:-12 | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:IIB | Hungary:16 | Ireland:18 | Mexico:B | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R16 | Norway:15 (video premiere) | Portugal:M/16 | South Korea:18 | Spain:13 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:R | Japan:PG-12 | Iceland:16 | Canada:14+ (Ontario) | Singapore:PG (cut) | Philippines:R-18 | Italy:VM14 | Italy:VM18 (tv rating)

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

Artisan Entertainment

Trivia:

The bar front used in the block party sceen is not a real building. It was lit in a parking lot on Evergreen and Milwaukee Avenues on the near north side in Wicker Park, right off the Damen (Blue Line) El stop. Also, the Old Style sign hanging in front of the bar is how many bars in Chicago look, but most of the time the sign reads "Old Style On Tap".

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): Lisa tells Maggie the baby she is expecting will be a Gemini, and that "Einstein was a Gemini". In fact, Albert Einstein was born on March 14, 1879, making him a Pisces.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Jake Witzky:[to someone] Okay. Guess who came over to play...
[singing]
Jake Witzky:Superheros. I was Black Power Ranger. He was Batman.
Tom Witzky:Jake, you okay in there buddy?
Jake Witzky:I'm okay.
[to whoever else]
Jake Witzky:Can I ask you a question?
Tom Witzky:Okay, time to hit the sack.
[coming into the bathroom]
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Dinner for Five: Episode #1.3" (2002)

Soundtrack:

Meat Mania

Shut the door! You're letting in a draft!

Tom (Kevin Bacon) has hypnotized by his sister-in-law, played by Illeana Douglas, and from then on his life's a little....well, weird. He sees a ghost of a disappeared girl, and he's not the only one - his young son's been seeing the spectre for weeks. What unfolds after that is that Tom slips further and further into imminent madness. His wife Maggie (Kathryn Erbe) can't fathom his insanity, and it's driving her up the wall, as both of the men in her life are increasingly distant and non-communicative. So what happened to Tom when he was under hypnosis? His sister-in-law claims there's a door in everyone's mind that's never been opened, and it sure looks like Tom's door is wide open, with a big neon sign over it, inviting him to run through with abandon. What's behind all of this freakiness? There's a mystery afoot, but it turns out to be a little more standard and predictable than one would hope with the solid premise. Can't fault the actors, though - this is an unusual role for Bacon, who here comes off as a tough, strong, blue-collar kind of guy - he and his family are close to what one might call white trash, but they're never portrayed as being mean-spirited or hateful. This is just one of those cases where weird stuff happens to nice folk, kind of like the clan in "Poltergeist."

So this is a stylish psychological/supernatural thriller with game performances by a capable cast. It's watchable and full of chills, but the ending's a little pat.