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'The Night Listener': Intriguing, if a bit uneven
by Eleanor Ringel Gillespie

In "The Night Listener," Robin Williams plays Gabriel Noone, the host of a late-night radio talk show in New York that mostly consists of his telling somewhat embellished stories based on actual events from his life. "Like a magpie, I tend to steal the shiny stuff," he admits. "And I disregard the rest." The shiniest stuff in this interesting but uneven psychological thriller is Toni Collette. As Donna, a needy, overprotective, somewhat secretive woman, she gives the sort of internalized, in-the-moment performance that's all the more dazzling once you figure out where this film is going. Which, alas, you may figure out sooner than director Patrick Stettner intends. Read the full review

TO SUM UP
Popular late-night radio show host Gabriel Noone develops an intense relationship with a young listener named Pete and his adopted mother. When a troubling question arises regarding the boy's identity, Gabriel sets out on a harrowing journey to find the truth, sending his own ordered existence spinning wildly out of control.

FILM FACTS ...

Miramax Films

'The Night Listener'

Director: Patrick Stettner
Starring: Robin Williams, Toni Collette, Rory Culkin, Joe Morton, Sandra Oh
Run time: 91 minutes
Release date: August 4, 2006
Rating: R for language and some disquieting sexual content.
See showtimes

Turn your radio on
A look at five other movie radio personalities who get up close and personal with the audience.

On the web
Official movie site
View the trailer
Trailers require Quicktime

READ THE REVIEW

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: B-
"Williams is quite fine ... and Collette is, well, wonderful."

Read the full review

Austin American-Statesman: 3 of 5 stars
"Of all the attempts (Robin Williams) has made over the years to step away from his stardom into quieter or more edgy roles, this is one of the best."