THE NIGHT LISTENER
US, 2006, 91 minutes, Colour.
Robin Williams, Toni Collette, Bobby Cannavale, Rory Culkin, Joe Morton, Sandra Oh.
Directed by Patrick Stettner.
The Night Listener is something of a short story on film. The original novel and collaboration on the screenplay was from Amistead Maupin author of the well-known Tales of the City – and this film has some similar themes.
Robin Williams portrays a radio personality, Gabriel Noone, who does a storytelling program from 11 PM to midnight, Noone at Night, and who is sent a manuscript by publisher, Joe Morton, which could be a basis for a story on air. Meanwhile Noone’s life is in crisis, his partner leaving him after becoming free from AIDS, Bobby Cannavale, and difficulties with his contracts for his program.
The story concerns a boy who was abused by his parents, a brief flashback for the film, but who is being looked after by a social worker, Donna, Toni Collette. He speaks by phone to both of them, the boy being rather ill and having to go to hospital. He decides to go out to meet the boy, encounters Donna, who is blind. She has answer for every question – and Noone’s friend and former partner has suggested that they are one and the same person. This has an effect on Noone as he tries to understand, even to the danger of Donna struggling with him on a highway with a truck approaching.
Noone returns to New York, still trying to solve the puzzle, as well as his emotional conflicts. Donna phones to say she is at the airport in New York, leaving before he arrives, but there is a cassette which shows pictures of the boy.
The film endds surprisingly with a sighted Donna intending to buy a home and telling a story about her son, the infection in his leg and his amputation.
And unusual atmospheric story, an intense performance by Robin Williams, a clever performance by Toni Collette, and directed by Patrick Stettner who also directed the interesting The Business of Strangers.
1. The impact of the film, as a drama, touches of thriller, the mystery?
2. The New York settings? Apartments, radio studios, the streets and cafes, motels? The contrast with Wisconsin, the dinor, the home, the highway and the oncoming truck? The finale with the new home? The atmospheric musical score?
3. The title? Donna and her listening, Pete and his listening? Noone’s program?
4. Hearing Noone in action, his show, the stories? His voice over and introducing the new story? The publisher, friendship, giving him the manuscript, the effect on Noone?
5. The visuals of Pete, the flashbacks to the abuse sequence in his past, at home with Donna, in the hospital? The phone calls, talking with both Donna and Pete?
6. Jess, recovering from AIDS, his relationship with Noone, his leaving, a new lease on life, wanting new friends, his meeting with Noone, the discussions about Pete and Donna, Jess suggesting they were one and the same person, listening to the voice and into nations? The later meetings? Their personal discussions about their future and friendship? Jess’s new partner? His still holding to the theory that Pete and Donna were the same person? And that the tape could be of someone else?
7. Anna, tidying the house with Noone, confidante, discussing the issues, the personal ones, Donna and Pete?
8. Noone and his going to visit, to Wisconsin, the flight, the search, the diner, meeting Donna? The invitation to the house, her being blind? Her consciousness of Noone’s presence? Pete in the hospital, her various stories, Noone’s challenges, having an answer for everything? Her condemning him for not believing her? The road, the oncoming truck, her being stranded, helpless, his dragging her away, their almost being killed?
9. The phone call, the many calls, at dinner with Ashe and his friends, his losing his temper?
10. Donna saying she was a motel near the airport, leaving before Noone arrived, leaving the cassette? His watching the cassette, its seemingly being true, the picture of Pete?
11. Noone, left in his bewilderment? The mystery?
12. Donna, sighted, different hairstyle, manner, discussions with the realtor, explanation of Pete, the infection and his amputation? Taking the house?
13. The open-endedness of the finale?
