Domestic Disturbance (2001)

User Rating:

5.3/10   

Director:

Harold Becker

Writers (WGA):

Lewis Colick (story) &
William S. Comanor (story) ...

Release Date:

2 November 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

He will do anything to protect his family.

Plot:

A divorced father discovers that his 12-year-old son's new stepfather is not what he made himself out to be.

Plot Keywords:

Stepfather | Witness Protection | Runaway Child | Wedding | Murder

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

John Travolta	...	Frank Morrison
James Lashly	...	Jason
Rebecca Tilney	...	Laurie
Debra Mooney	...	Theresa
Vince Vaughn	...	Rick Barnes
Teri Polo	...	Susan
Leland L. Jones	...	Coach Mark
Matt O'Leary	...	Danny Morrison
Ruben Santiago-Hudson	...	Sgt. Edgar Stevens
Susan Floyd	...	Diane
William Parry	...	Don Patterson
Suzanne Nystrom	...	Wedding Coordinator
George Christy	...	Wedding Photographer
Steve Buscemi	...	Ray Coleman
David Bridgewater	...	Priest

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for violence, brief sexuality and language.

Runtime:

89 min | Argentina:90 min | Netherlands:92 min | Spain:91 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:PG-13 (certificate #38637) | Portugal:M/12 | Canada:14A | Canada:A (Ontario) | South Korea:15 | Argentina:13 | Finland:K-15 | France:U | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:IIA | Hungary:16 | Netherlands:16 | Norway:15 | Peru:14 | Philippines:PG-13 | Singapore:PG | Spain:13 | UK:12 | USA:R (original rating) | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Hampstead, North Carolina, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

This film was edited 3 times for strong language and violence to receive a PG-13 rating by the MPAA. The film contains numerous scenes where dubbing for strong language can be obviously seen and heard. In total 23 minutes of the film were edited by the time the final cut was completed.

Goofs:

Continuity: During Susan and Danny's escape attempt, Rick wears a blue dress shirt, but the next time we see him, he has a green sweater over it, without any time for him to put it on.

Quotes:

Ray Coleman: I kid you not.

Movie Connections:

References "Leave It to Beaver" (1957)

Soundtrack:

Isn't It Romantic

Tight Fast Moving Thriller!

I guess I liked "Domestic Disturbance" more than most critics and visitors to this site. I thought it was a compact fast moving little thriller that packed a lot into its brief 89 minute running time.

Frank Morrison (John Travolta) and his ex-wife Susan (Teri Polo) have a 12 year old son Danny (Matthew O'Leary) who is taking their breakup and Susan's impending marriage to local hot shot Rick Barnes (Vince Vaughn) very hard. He is taken to running off and lying to his parents and the authorities. Frank meanwhile, tries to encourage Danny to give his new stepfather an even chance.

At Rick and Susan's wedding an uninvited guest Ray Coleman (Steve Buscemi) shows up and we learn that Rick has a past. When Susan announces that she is pregnant with Rick's child, Danny sneaks out of the house and into the back of Rick's car in order to get to his father's home. At the same time, Rick decides to rid himself of Coleman who is threatening to expose his past. Rick murders Coleman and Danny witness the act.

Danny must now convince his parents and the police of Rick's guilt. But because he has cried wolf so many times before, no one will believe him. To make matters worse Rick has threatened to do harm to his father if he talks. Susan unaware of all of this supports Rick. Frank on the other hand, begins to smell a rat.

Director Harold Becker keeps the story moving and at the same time, heightening the suspense. Travolta gives good performance as Frank. He wants his son back and has trouble at first convincing himself that Danny and his ex are in harm's way. Vaughn makes a chilling villain and young O'Leary is excellent as the son who is caught in one too many lies. And no one can play a slimy underworld type any better than Buscemi.

Don't read the reviews. This is a good movie.