IMDb > Hide and Seek (2005)
Hide and Seek
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Hide and Seek (2005) More at IMDbPro »

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Hide and Seek (2005) -- As a widower tries to piece together his life in the wake of his wife's suicide, his daughter finds solace -- at first -- in her imaginary friend.
Hide and Seek (2005) -- As a widower tries to piece together his life in the wake of his wife's suicide, his daughter finds solace -- at first -- in her imaginary friend.
Hide and Seek (2005) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)
Hide and Seek (2005) -- Moviesbox.us - Trailer (Flash)
Hide and Seek (2005) -- Movieplayer.it - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
5.6/10   28,028 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 9% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
John Polson
Writer (WGA):
Ari Schlossberg (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Hide and Seek on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
28 January 2005 (USA) more
Tagline:
Come out come out whatever you are more
Plot:
As a widower tries to piece together his life in the wake of his wife's suicide, his daughter finds solace -- at first -- in her imaginary friend. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
1 win & 3 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(23 articles)
Jason DeRulo's 'Whatcha Say' Tops The Billboard Hot 100
 (From MTV Newsroom. 5 November 2009, 8:14 AM, PST)

Jason DeRulo Scores Billboard Hot 100 #1 With Debut Single
 (From iCelebz. 5 November 2009, 8:11 AM, PST)

User Comments:
A classic underachiever. more (427 total)

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for frightening sequences and violence.
Runtime:
101 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS
Filming Locations:
Haworth, New Jersey, USA more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Contrary to popular belief, Dakota Fanning actually wore a brown wig, rather than having her hair dyed. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When 'Charlie' is seeking Emily in her bedroom, he says 'Is she under this bed?' and looks under the bed on his left, then checks the one on his right but in the very next shot, he is checking the bed on his left again. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Alison: Faster.
Emily: No, no, no.
more
Movie Connections:
References The Shining (1980) more
Soundtrack:
Swing Punch more

FAQ

Where does the title "Hide and Seek" come from?
Does Emily like Charlie?
Why did Emily disfigure Amy's doll's face?
more
174 out of 295 people found the following comment useful.
A classic underachiever., 26 January 2005
Author: John DeSando (jdesando@columbus.rr.com) from Columbus, Ohio

Maybe Robert De Niro's doctor in Godsend (2004) went to the same medical school of horrors as his Dr. David Callaway in Hide and Seek, this year's De Niro toss away film, from which he deposits his considerable paycheck along with cash from Meet the Fockers. Why he doesn't concentrate his fortune and connections (as Clint Eastwood does) to craft an artful small film that would allow his acting gifts is the only mystery for me from his prolific but arguably spotty career.

Young Emily Callaway (Dakota Fanning) has lost her mother (Amy Irving) to suicide. Psychologist dad moves her to an older, rambling house in the woods in upstate New York to start a new life. Not new are the abundant clichés of the horror film: the suspicious neighbors, whom director John Polson makes as creepy as possible; the questionable sheriff; the doors leading to scares; the mutilated dolls; Emily's imaginary friend, Charlie, who appears to be causing numberless offenses in the house; and knives placed as objects of intrinsic interest; and a vulnerable girl friend, Elizabeth (Elisabeth Shue). I stopped counting, for the film is one extended cliché after another.

The interest for serious filmgoers might be the depiction of the psychological stat after a loss to suicide. Whatever the term might be such as "post-traumatic stress disorder syndrome," the film does a credible job showing how difficult it is for Emily to lead a normal life after the loss of her mother (and for her father as well). While there are echoes of Stephen King (The Shining's "Here's Johnny" comes to mind) and Hitchcock (think shower scene), there is no comparison in quality with those classics. The audience at the preview enjoyed some of the stock shock moments behind the many closed doors. Hide and Seek will titillate horror fans but disappoint discerning film buffs, who look for some believable edge and innovation.

Milton in Paradise Lost expressed the descent from happiness to despair: "Farewell happy fields, Where joy forever dwells: hail, horrors!" Hide and Seek is not a classic horror film; it is a classic underachiever.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Hide and Seek (2005)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
who is the actor that played the cop xoalex914
the only thing i didn't see coming(spoiler) StarryEyesAndBrokenSkies
Lowest Point in De Niro's Career rok-7
does david kinda look like robin williams carlitoiscool22
So confused by the ending reddwingfan
Suicide? HenryCW
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