Domestic Disturbance (2001)

When Danny witnesses his stepfather Rick murder a man, Danny's father Frank has to protect his son from the greatest danger.

Director:

Harold Becker

Writers:

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

Stars:

John Travolta, Nick Loren, Matt O'Leary

1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Travolta	...	Frank Morrison
Matt O'Leary	...	Danny Morrison
Ruben Santiago-Hudson	...	Sgt. Edgar Stevens
Vince Vaughn	...	Rick Barnes
Susan Floyd	...	Diane
Teri Polo	...	Susan
Angelica Page	...	Patty (as Angelica Torn)
James Lashly	...	Jason
Rebecca Tilney	...	Laurie
Debra Mooney	...	Theresa
Leland L. Jones	...	Coach Mark
William Parry	...	Don Patterson
Steve Buscemi	...	Ray Coleman
Suzanne Nystrom	...	Wedding Coordinator
George Christy	...	Wedding Photographer

Storyline

Susan Morrison is getting married to wealthy industrialist Rick Barnes. Danny, her teenage son with ex-husband Frank, isn't happy about this; he stows away in Rick's car one night, planning to go to Frank's house. But while there, he witnesses Rick murdering mysterious stranger Ray Coleman. Problem is, Rick's managed to dispose of most of the evidence, and he's considered a pillar of the community, while Danny has a history of lying. Frank believes him, though, and does some investigating of his own, as Rick's shady past slowly catches up to him and his new family.

---

Plot Keywords:

witness | ex convict | movie flop | stepfather | boy | 

---

Taglines:

He will do anything to protect his family.

---

Genres:

Crime | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for violence, brief sexuality and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Filmed entirely in North Carolina.

---

Goofs

When Ray is having breakfast with Frank, he has a piece of toast in his hand. A second later, in the next shot, it's gone.

---

Quotes

Ray Coleman: I kid you not.

---

Connections

References Rosemary's Baby (1968)

---

Soundtracks

Wedding March
by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
Arranged by Don Harper

User Reviews

Exceptionally mediocre

What is it with John Travolta? He can command just about any script he desires, and he signs on for the lead in this pedestrian rubbish? The man has talent, but he needs some serious career counseling. This script is not even TV grade. A kid has cried wolf a couple of times so the police don't bother to follow up when he claims he saw his step father murder someone; yes, that's very realistic. The screenplay would make any Wisconsin dairy farmer proud. It has so many holes that it is better classified as fantasy/comedy than drama.

I'm surprised that this product comes from director Harold Becker (`The Onion Field', "Malice') who has given us a couple of fine thrillers. Besides the flimsy script, the cinematography is annoyingly underexposed. If Becker was trying for a dark look, he achieved it, because the film is so dark that much of the time you can only tell who's speaking by voice recognition, and that's outdoors during the day!

If there is anything that saves this film from the abyss, it is the acting. Travolta is sometimes fantastic and sometimes awful. In this film he is very good, especially considering the material with which he has to work. Matthew O'Leary is particularly good as the troubled son. He gives a convincing performance, capturing the motivations of his character effectively with all the conflict one would expect from a kid in his situation. Vince Vaughn gives a decent performance, though he is a bit tentative when trying to be duplicitous. He is much more convincing as a villain than a good guy. Steve Buscemi is one of my favorite bad guys, extremely underrated and unappreciated for his consistently sleazy characters. Again, he gives us a terrifically slimy portrayal of Rick's former underworld buddy.

To enjoy this film you have to look beyond the tired plot, the unbelievable departures from reality and the poor cinematography. These are just too many liabilities to overcome. I rated it a 5/10.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 November 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

Domestic Disturbance

Filming Locations:

Hampstead, North Carolina, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$75,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$14,033,112, 4 November 2001

Gross USA:

$45,246,095

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$54,249,294

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, De Line Pictures, Jonathan Krane Group

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1