The Quiet - movie reviews and information

'The Quiet': Lurid melodrama never quite makes sense
by Hap Erstein

Seven years ago, director Jamie Babbit made a consciously over-the-top satire of lesbian de-programming called But I'm a Cheerleader that left many curious how she would follow up such a brash debut. Unfortunately, the answer has arrived with The Quiet, a lurid slice of suburban life so melodramatic that she probably wants us to take it seriously, an almost impossible task. Read the full review

TO SUM UP
Popular cheerleader Nina Deer's seemingly unblemished suburban world is turned upside down when her parents adopt their recently orphaned goddaughter Dot. Dot's arrival delivers a blow to Nina's idyllic social life and triggers the unraveling of the family's darkest secrets. Both Nina's family and friends, including the school hunk Connor, develop and odd fascination with Dot and confide in her their troubling secrets.

FILM FACTS ...

Sony Pictures Classics

'The Quiet'

Director: Jamie Babbit
Starring: Elisha Cuthbert, Edie Falco, Camilla Belle, Shawn Ashmore, Martin Donovan
Run time: 96 minutes
Release date: August 25, 2006
Rating: R for strong and disturbing sexual content, a scene of violence, language, drug content and brief nudity.
See showtimes

Behind the scenes
• Actress Elisha Cuthbert tackles taboos with pluck.
• Burnt Orange Productions brings a new meaning to student movies.

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

READ THE REVIEW

Austin American-Statesman: 1 of 5 stars
"... an exploitation movie without the chutzpah to get to second base, much less go all the way."

Read the full review

The Palm Beach Post: C-
"Although it never adds up to much, Babbit does muster an atmosphere of foreboding, which we find ourselves wishing would reach full Carrie mode."