accessAtlanta

Grade: C

Verdict: A passable time-passer.

Details: Starring John Travolta, Vince Vaughn, Teri Polo and Matt O'Leary. Directed by Harold Becker. Rated PG-13 for language and violence.One hour, 28 minutes.

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Review: Domestic Disturbance is too domesticated and not disturbing enough.

In fact, the most disturbing thing about this so-so John Travolta thriller is that it was directed by Harold Becker, a more-than-decent director whose 1979 film, The Onion Field, not only launched James Woods' career but remains one of the most powerful crime dramas ever made.

Travolta plays Frank Morrison, the nicest guy on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Frank undercharges customers for his custom-made wooden boats. He's polite to his ex-wife, Susan (Teri Polo), even when she's being testy. He's a great dad to his 12-year-old son, Danny (Matt O'Leary), even when the boy keeps getting hauled into the police station for acting out his distress over his parents' divorce.

And here's the cherry on top: Frank is even willing to help Susan try to build a bond between Danny and his stepfather-to-be, Rick Barnes (Vince Vaughn). See, Danny loathes Rick and isn't shy about saying so.

He may have a point. Rick may be rich, handsome and philanthropic, but something's not right. You know something's really not right the minute his old pal Ray shows up uninvited at the wedding. You know because Ray is played by Steve Buscemi.

Domestic Disturbance is a little like Rick. The movie presents itself as a glossy Hollywood thriller -- big-name stars, neat location, respectable behind-the-camera talent, etc. But something's off. It's as if someone -- everyone? -- decided it wasn't worth the effort. Instead of ambiguity, we get the kind of no-frills thriller usually made for TV.

Maybe the script was lazy and obvious from the start. Travolta's been treating himself to a lot of stuff like that recently (Swordfish, anyone?). But if that's the case, why would good people like Becker, Buscemi and Vaughn sign on?

The movie is too short to be insufferable. The actors are too good for you to get terribly bored. Some individual scenes are sharp. If your first-choice flick is sold out, Domestic Disturbance is an OK fallback. Well, maybe if your first and second choices are sold out. Maybe even your first, second and third.

— Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution