An intruder invades the home of Mark and Sally Driscoll, a heavily indebted businessman, and his rich, neglected wife. Determined to learn the truth, the man takes them hostage. As he tells ... Read allAn intruder invades the home of Mark and Sally Driscoll, a heavily indebted businessman, and his rich, neglected wife. Determined to learn the truth, the man takes them hostage. As he tells his story, secrets are revealed.An intruder invades the home of Mark and Sally Driscoll, a heavily indebted businessman, and his rich, neglected wife. Determined to learn the truth, the man takes them hostage. As he tells his story, secrets are revealed.
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Featured reviews
First, the damned synopsis tells far too much and ruins a nice surprise.
Secondly, I was dissatisfied with the ending. . . you'll see why.
But the acting, and the general story was excellent. I especially appreciated the arc of the Sherilyn Fenn character, and totally believed it! This is rare, as often it is forced. But the circumstances of this story called for it.
Also, Ray Winstone shows his range here (see Sexy Beast for the other end of the spectrum).
Darkness Falls could just as well have been stage play, and a good one at that.
Give it a shot.
It's a "suspense" film, and the overall story is good, but the writing is horribly inept, as the viewer is relentlessly put to sleep by the tedious dialog.
It's obviously made for two types of spectators. In the movie theater, it's made for the crack head or meth head, or some abuser of drugs, because only someone on serious drugs could stay awake through this ordeal. If one can stay awake, one is rewarded by a decent non-Hollywood ending. This means the ending is meant for the people who don't abuse drugs, but the rest of the movie is meant for the "haters" who do abuse drugs.
In the home viewing, it is meant for "groups of three or more", where two people chat while one keeps up with the story and tells the others, until that one is too bored to go on, then a relay goes into place for the group. This is not uncommon in group viewing, and movie makers know this.
However, it makes for a mediocre movie.
If the dialog was better, if the writing was better, if the movie would be about an hour shorter, it would be a very good movie. The characters are well drawn enough, although the "bad guys" are totally Hollywood caricatures. The "non-bad" characters are three dimensional, however.
Not to say it was a bad movie. Just that it is impossible for a non-drug abuser to sit through this in one entire viewing, so you would be advised to switch to another station for ten minutes or so, about three times in the beginning of the movie, then back, in order to be satisfied. You'll get the picture, and you'll predict exactly what the lead character is up to, withing the first 15 minutes of the movie, in terms of the "money crime", and you'll gather enough to realize what he's up in the "morality crime" soon enough, since that drones on and on throughout the movie.
Ray Winstone puts in yet another awesome performance showing a fragile side that he is not noted for. I really can't recommend this film enough and will not go into the plot but just say see this. If you're in the USA it's just getting a release on VHS/DVD, I guess after Sexy Beast people want to see more of Ray.
One of the finest actors in Britain who is now really begining to shine in other countries. Grab any film you can that he's in, you won't regret it. But start at the first, rent "Scum" if you can find it in your local video store (US People) or buy it online..
The plot gave me chills, especially the ending. The baby was a nice touch, especially with Sally Driscoll holding her, but seeing the conniving husband get his due was the best part.
Okay, so I related to the plot personally. I'm not rich, but I did have a husband who tried to put my house up for collateral for his debts. And he was a womanizer.
This is a movie for our time. It exposes what the modern marriage relationship has become, or can become. I expect that faithless spouses will not like this film and find it unnerving. Spouses on the other side of the coin will be intrigued.
Did you know
- Quotes
Sally Driscoll: I'm... I remember. John
John Barrett: John, yeah.
Sally Driscoll: And Jane. Your wife is called Jane.
John Barrett: Jane Barrett, yes.
Sally Driscoll: Please do forgive me. I'm so sorry. I just...
John Barrett: It's not a problem, it's okay. It's something I've become accustomed to.
Sally Driscoll: What is?
John Barrett: Having to remind people who I am.
- ConnectionsFeatured in We Kill for Love (2023)
- SoundtracksString Quintet in C Major
Composed by Franz Schubert
Performed by Melos Quartett (as The Melos Quartett)
Details
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- Dangerous Obsessions
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- Runtime1 hour 30 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1