The Night Listener

Ein Thriller, der aus nicht besonders einfallsreichen Elementen besteht. Er will anders sein und tiefer wirken. Gleichzeitig möchte er aber auch durch die Nutzung von bewährten Genre-Klischees für das Mainstream-Publikum interessant sein. In beiden Fällen bleibt er aber nicht einmal auf halbem Weg stehen. Weder Robin Williams noch Toni Collette konnten durch ihre meisterhafte Schauspielleistung die Zerrissenheit und die unsichere Regie positiv beeinflussen. Ein fades Erlebnis. (11.08.2009)

Another example of a film that brings together excellent actors, but due to a weak script and perhaps also to the direction, it turns out to be a bland thriller that keeps you tense during by revealing promising twists and turns, but in the end, when you are expecting a shocking climax and denouement, it comes as a weak substitute that is barely satisfying. In short, imaginative, appealing in terms of acting, but unfortunately too little punch. (14.07.2011)

"Nocturnal Calling" is definitely an interesting movie that can captivate you with its storyline, making you anticipate what the ending will actually be. Although Robin Williams is an absolutely amazing actor, his character behaves strangely. Not because he plays the role poorly, but the script is quite peculiar in that regard. Throughout the movie, I kept waiting to see if it would have any connection to the ending, but in the end, it turned out not to. It's nice that it's based on a true story, but this is a case where much more could have been extracted. It's a shame, unused potential. (31.03.2014)