Poorly scripted by Akiva Goldsman, this murder mystery (helmed by Bruce Beresford) represents an awkward synthesis of autism and family abuse as social problems, failing to deliver suspense or excitement on any level.
Silent Fall
A Savage Crime. A Silent Witness.
1994 · 1h 41m · R
Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Directed by
Bruce Beresford
Overview
Having seen the double murder of his parents, autistic youth Tim Warden is sent to therapy with controversial therapist Dr. Jake Rainer. Jake tries to probe the silent child about what he saw, but he gets more details about the Wardens' household dynamics from Tim's teenage sister, Sylvie. As he spends more time with the siblings, Jake learns that the Wardens' marriage was not as perfect as it seemed, and he uncovers other new details that might help solve the crime.
Director and cast
- Bruce Beresford Director
- Richard Dreyfuss as Dr. Jake Rainer
- Linda Hamilton as Karen Rainer
- John Lithgow as Dr. Rene Harlinger
- J. T. Walsh as Sheriff Mitch Rivers
- Ben Faulkner as Tim Warden
- Liv Tyler as Sylvie Warden
- Zahn McClarnon as Deputy Bear
- Brandon Stouffer as Halloween Kid #1
- Treva Moniik King as Halloween Kid #2
- John McGee Jr. as Deputy
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
So predictable that you would almost swear you'd seen it before.
It's the kind of picture that results when a film maker loses sight of the fact that a portion of his audience might actually think while watching a movie.
Silent Fall, a dramatically repressed psychodrama, could be sued for creative malpractice.
Beresford draws the best from a fine cast. Only when he tries to up the thrill quotient near the end are the contrivances of Akiva Goldsman's debut script revealed, like cracks in the smooth surface of a frozen lake.
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