The Quiet (2005)

Dot (Belle), a young deaf and mute woman, is sent to live with her godparents (Falco and Donovan) and their daughter (Cuthbert). The new addition to the household realizes that everything is not copacetic in the home, and the family's dark come to light.

Director:

Jamie Babbit

Writers:

Abdi Nazemian, Micah Schraft

Stars:

Elisha Cuthbert, Camilla Belle, Edie Falco

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Elisha Cuthbert	...	Nina Deer
Camilla Belle	...	Dot
Edie Falco	...	Olivia Deer
Martin Donovan	...	Paul Deer
Shawn Ashmore	...	Connor
Katy Mixon	...	Michelle Fell
David Gallagher	...	Brian
Shannon Woodward	...	Fiona
Maria Cash	...	Mrs. Feltswatter
Jo Baker	...	Myrna
Steve Uzzell	...	Mr. Piln
Ken Thomas	...	Officer Jim
Rudy Costa	...	Police Officer
Myrna Cabello	...	Waitress
Diane Quest	...	Newscaster #1

Storyline

Following the death of her father, a teenage Dot moves into the home of her godparents and their teenage daughter Nina. Dot arrives wrapped up in the silence of being deaf-mute. She finds a different kind of silence waiting for her in her new home, for this home is a place with a dark secret involving Nina and her father. At first, Dot and Nina seem to be polar opposites. However, they gradually realize how much they have in common. Bringing them together catalyzes a series of events in which both reveal their secrets and shed their double lives. A violent consummation almost destroys them. Yet they find hope for the future in the quiet after the storm.

---

Plot Keywords:

secret | death | godparent | deaf | dysfunctional family | 

---

Taglines:

Her family betrayed her trust. Now she's breaking her silence.

---

Genres:

Drama | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong and disturbing sexual content, a scene of violence, language, drug content and brief nudity

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Pictures Classics [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English American Sign Language

Release Date:

25 August 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dot

Filming Locations:

Bowie High School - 4103 W. Slaughter Lane, Austin, Texas, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$900,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$27,546 (USA) (25 August 2006)

Gross:

$381,186 (USA) (15 September 2006)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Andrea Sperling Productions, Burnt Orange Productions, Holly Wiersma Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min 91 min (original)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Camilla Belle played many of the piano pieces. "Piano Sonata #23 Opus 57, 'Appassionata', Allegro assai" is performed by Anthony Aubrey Tobin, and "Piano Sonata #14 Opus 27, No. 2 'Moonlight', Adagio" is performed by Carrie W. Friedman. Elisha Cuthbert performed the first few notes of "Piano Sonata #19 Opus 49, No. 1, Andante" with Camilla Belle before Anthony Aubrey Tobin finished.

---

Goofs

When Connor is describing Hershey PA to Dot, he tells her that they give out free M&Ms. They are a product of the M&M/Mars company, not Hershey. Hershey does in fact give out free candy but it is always a product of theirs, not the competition.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Dot: All I wanted was to be invisible.

---

Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Episode dated 2 September 2006 (2006)

---

Soundtracks

"Piano Sonata #14 Opus 27, No. 2 'Moonlight', Adagio"
Written by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by Camilla Belle

User Reviews

Mr. Black's Grade: B.

The Quiet (Toronto Film Festival Cut) Mr. Black's Grade: B Starring Edie Falco, Elisha Cuthbert, and Shawn Ashmore.

Directed by Jamie Babbit, who is apparently known for lighter TV fare. She has thrown that out the window with The Quiet. Dot (Camilla Belle), a deaf orphan girl, is sent to live with a wholesome foster family, but soon realizes all is not cop-acetic.

Something about this film really hit me. It is a very dark and adult tale set in any town USA. You would find me to be a quiet guy generally, and I like to listen to folks have to say. When you pay attention, people will tell you the most amazing things. 'Dot' certainly goes through that in this film. This is a story about teenagers, and it is appealing that they act that way, saying stupid things and not being 'wise' beyond their years.

The film captured High School for me to a tee, and featured nice pacing and a better than expected performance from the ever-so-lovely Elisha Cuthbert. Some folks may get completely turned off by the subject material, since this is very dark, depressing and very adult material. But for some reason the 'Dot' character really got me...