Dead Silent (1999)

Director:

Roger Cardinal

Writers:

Ed Fitzgerald, Paul Koval

Stars:

Rob Lowe, Catherine Mary Stewart, Arlen Aguayo-Stewart

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rob Lowe	...	Kevin Finney
Catherine Mary Stewart	...	Julia Kerbridge
Arlen Aguayo-Stewart	...	Amanda Meyer
Larry Day	...	Sitton
Sean Devine	...	Dakins
Allen Altman	...	Harmon
Mark Camacho	...	Lt. Sam Waterton
Noel Burton	...	Dr. Gerald Rodale
Lynne Adams	...	Social Worker
Walter Massey	...	Nate Henderson
Jeannie Walker	...	Police Psychiatrist
Tara Girard	...	Elizabeth Meyer
Ron Torchia	...	Larry Meyer
Rebecca Dewey	...	Susan Levin
Brent Donnelly	...	Mark Levin (as Brent Donnely)

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

crime scene | post traumatic stress | family relationships | birthday party | loss of parents | 

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Taglines:

Words can kill.

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Genres:

Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

1999 (UK)

Also Known As:

Sigi thanatou

Filming Locations:

Laval, Québec, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Movie Network, The (TMN)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Poor thriller - bad lead actors doesn't help

When Dr Julia Meybridge's (Catherine Mary Stewart) sister and brother-in-law are murdered in a burglary, she takes care of their daughter Amanda (Arlen Aguayo-Stewart) who cannot speak due to the trauma of witnessing the murders. However as accusations of stealing industrial secrets are levelled at Amanda's parents and someone continues to stalk Julia's apartment it is apparent that Amanda is still in danger.

This is a reasonable TV thriller. It doesn't particularly pretend to having high aspirations and knows that it's plot isn't great but it's still OK if you're not expecting great things. The main story about the industrial espionage and the gang hunting for "an item" is pretty good if a little unbelievable. You can see the twists coming from miles but it doesn't take too much away from the conclusion.

It's difficult to care about either Stewart (Dr Meybridge) or Amanda (Aguayo-Stewart). With Stewart her character is so work focused that she neglects Amanda, the idea being that we would gradually see her warm to the prospect of motherhood. However she is so unsympathetic for the majority of the film that it is that that stays with you and not the sudden urge of motherhood experienced towards the end. As an aside Stewart looks so much like Meg Ryan that if her current work dries up she should be able to get a job as one of those celebrity impersonators at parties!

Amanda being mute for almost the entire film makes it difficult for Aguayo-Stewart to convey a lot of character. This would have suited a more experienced or better child actress and makes you wonder about how she was picked out for the role. Rob Lowe brings a bit of "star-power" to the film but, as projects like 'The West Wing' shows, he's too good for projects like this.

A reasonable TV thriller, this would have benefited from better performances from both the female leads.