The Night Listener (DVD, 2007)

AAdapted from Armistead Maupin's book, this tale is based on an experience Maupin actually had.

Gabriel Noone (Robin Williams) finds his relationship falling apart just as he begins a long distance phone and mail relationship with a young boy who purportedly was abused and is in the last stages of AIDS.

Noone's borderline lover (John Cullum) plants the seeds of doubt about whether the boy's tale is true or not which leads Noone on a significant trip to find out the truth.

Toni Collette plays the disturbed blind woman who is giving foster care to the young boy and Sandra Oh plays Noone's confidant.

Robin Williams is outstanding!

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Gabriel Noone (Robin Williams) is a soothing talk radio personality specializing in embellishing stories from his daily life. When handed a memoir of sexual abuse written by a 14 year-old named Pete (Rory Culkin), Gabriel is quickly consumed by the book, and accepts the opportunity to speak to the boy over the phone. Gabriel's dreary world is brightened by their friendship, but when those around him raise doubts about the boy's existence, Gabriel travels to Wisconsin to meet the writer and his eccentric mother (Toni Collette).
"Night Listener" is a humble psychological thriller shoehorned into a heated August release date where it doesn't belong. The studio is promising thrills and chills, but this picture doesn't dance to that tune.

Adapted by celebrated author Armistead Maupin (with Terry Anderson) from his 2000 novel, "Listener" is a dense look (based on truth) at the hollow existence of a writer who cannibalizes his own life for the entertainment of others. Played with a thick layer of purple funk by Robin Williams, Gabriel is a broken man in the midst of a painful breakup with his boyfriend (Bobby Cannavale), the crumbling of his artistic inspiration, and rising doubt over Pete's true whereabouts. Maupin's screenplay seeks to concentrate on the essential character impulses to further the story, but he leaves room for interesting asides featuring Gabriel's gay angst about growing older and feeling unwanted by his younger lover, as well as his prickly relationship with his father.

While I wasn't a fan of his constipated debut picture "The Business of Strangers," director Patrick Stettner has a strong hold on the many facets of "Listener." There are times when watching Gabriel try to figure out his personal life is far more interesting than the central thriller unfolding. Stettner balances the characters with the mystery very well, and doesn't go overboard trying to polish either side to perfection. "Listener" is an intimate story, and Stettner directs accordingly, appreciating Maupin's delicate framework and doesn't push his weight around trying to shape the material into standard thriller mode.

What I treasured most about "Listener" is that it never felt the need to attempt a massive plot twist to suck the viewer in. Perhaps some will find the slow roll out of the mystery here not exciting enough; however, I was tickled to see a picture with patience and resolve to not play street corner card tricks. This is a potent mind game that doesn't need fireworks to click. "The Night Listener" doesn't hammer home the bite of big Hollywood entertainment, but it does deliver an engrossing and emotionally rich tale of deceit.

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Great DVD, good special features. Picure quality is perfect. sad but uplifting, and well produced. I would recomend it.

I watched this late one night on cable and decided I needed to watch it again. Robin Williams freaks me out ....the scope of characters he can play. Not typical RW. Mysterious movie....left me feeling confused....gonna' watch it again to see exactly what I am not catching....Good movie.

Robin Williams does a great job - in this based on a true story - of a boy who may or may not excist - he sets out to find the truth - very believable - very well acted - unfortunatly in my opinion there could be more of his love story with the partner he is breaking up with - and a real kiss wouldn't have hurt - because it was Robin Williams i expected him to play that part of his life a little more real - but still over all - great movie

This was an excellent buy, the movie got here very quickly, it was in perfect condition as described. My husband and I were very happy with this purchase.

Great movie, suspensful, recommend to adults, Reason I bought, like actor, and heard the movie was good.Very Good movie, in my opinion.

As advertised. Item price + shipping = reasonable overall expense. Very quick shipping.
Per ebay requirements: Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their party. Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their party.

I liked the movie. It was a bit confusing at the end of it. It really kept me intrigued by being interesting. The plot was very good. I bought it because I really like Robin Williams. He is a great actor, and it shows in this movie.

there is nothing i dislike about this movie! i love it! i watch it every chance i get! it has a twist to it and you will keep wondering until the end who is this person and what do they want? so if you want a good movie you should get this movie. i would rent it first just in case you do or don't like it and then if you do then please buy the movie! you will love it!

fast shipping and no shipping price.I will order again.the movie come in good shape.the movie was good.

I have read and seen many shows about this real life story.
Skip the movie~! It was a waste of talent for these two fine actors.
The movie never really had a starting point, if you know nothing about the real life story you'll be completley confused. I knew about the story & had trouble following the movie. It was a very short movie, I think that was part of the problem. They tried to get to much in to very little time & it made little sense.
Hope this helps.

Thank you to the seller who was quick with sending a wonderful copy. Easy sale- quick service and friendly. Thanks - rej62

I thought this movie was going to be really good, but reality hit me about 30 minutes in and I realized - I wasted my money. The movie did have a little intrigue and mystery to it but, they killed that pretty quickly. And the ending left the viewer with not even a stitch of closure or satisfaction.

Well, i saw this movies with a couple of my friends, and 15 minutes into the movie we were convinced


****MAJOR SPOILRER**********
that what you think is going on, that whats going on ;)





but the point of the movie is the women and Gabriel and his obssesion


Pros: Great acting by Williams
Cons:Not so great by everybody else
If your looking for thriller with 100 loss ends and twist and turn everyminute , thats not for you, if you want a clever drama with a mystery, this movie is for you.