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, James Lashly

1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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 (as Matthew O'Leary)
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

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.

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Plot Keywords:

witness | ex convict | stepfather | boy | boat builder | 

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Taglines:

He will do anything to protect his family.

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Genres:

Crime | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for violence, brief sexuality and language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 November 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

Enemigo en casa

Filming Locations:

Hampstead, North Carolina, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$75,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$14,033,112, 4 November 2001, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$45,246,095

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$59,249,294, 31 December 2002

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:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to the Smoking Gun website, "Vince Vaughn was arrested by North Carolina cops in April 2001 and charged with fighting in public for his part in a brawl outside a New Hanover County bar (the movie star was in town working on the film Domestic Disturbance). During the mêlée, fellow actor Steve Buscemi was stabbed several times. Vaughn entered a no contest plea and the minor charge was dropped six months later."

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Goofs

After Rick sprays paint thinner around Frank's workshop, he ends up setting his right hand/arm on fire. When he leaves he opens the door with his right hand and holds up his left arm (as if that was the arm in pain). Once he exits, his right arm again is the one in pain.

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Quotes

Frank Morrison: [To Rick] You touch a little as a hair on my son's head, and I swear, as God as my witness, that'll be the last thing you'll ever do in this world.

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Connections

Referenced in Film Geek (2005)

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Soundtracks

Isn't It Romantic
by Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart

User Reviews

Quite decent.

To start off, I enjoyed "Domestic Disturbance". I found it kept me shaking and on the edge of my seat through-out the entire film (which was rather short, by the way).

ACTING: As you probably already know, this film has some of the best-in-the-biz. Including such stars as John Travolta and Vince Vaughn, alongside newcomer Daniel O'Leary. Travolta decently played the good-guy divorced father, trying to protect his teenage son from an apparent murderer.

The murderer/stepfather was played typically by Vaugh who's portrayed serial killer roles in other movies such as "Clay Pigeons" and the remake of Hitchcock's classic thriller, "Psycho". And on to the young victim of mayhem...

Daniel O'Leary. A relatively good child actor who convincingly plays a stressed, frightened teen boy seems the perfect choice, with his convicingly frightened facial expressions.

All in all good acting. Mainly on Vaughn and Travolta's part.

STORY/WRITING: The movie flails mainly in this category. Thrilling, edge-of-your seat thriller until un-eventful ending. I'll try not to give it away, but it's a tad rushed.

The story isn't all-to origional, nor is anything else in this film. The dialogue is mediocre. Basically the entire script is pretty mediocre...

DIRECTING: Very nice direction. The director's dark, creepy style carries the movie along swiftly. If this director had been given a better script, with the same actors, "Domestic Disturbance" could've achieved brilliance.

Once again, direction is a high-point in this film.

BOTTOM LINE: A good thriller. 7 out of 10 stars.