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Review: Domestic Disturbance

Review by MZVIXEN | 11/09/2001 | 16:42:24 PM PST

If Domestic Disturbance had dressed up for Halloween, it would?ve gone as one of those costumes-in-a-bag found in drugstores. In other words, it?s a good thrill, but nothing out of the ordinary.

If there really is a recipe for making a thriller movie, then the creators of Domestic Disturbance surely followed it: One part star-studded cast, two parts over-the-top fight scene, a pinch of plot, and a heaping spoon of heroism. Mix all ingredients together with creaky doors and scary music and bake for approximately 105 minutes. There?s nothing wrong with using a recipe for a movie?this one turned out all right?but I think a little more time in the kitchen could have wielded a chocolate souffl? instead of a meatloaf.

The idea behind the movie is quite interesting, mixing the idea of the boy who cried wolf with paternal instincts. Ever since Frank Morrison (John Travolta) and his wife Susan (Teri Polo) divorced, their 11-year-old son Danny (Matthew O?Leary) has been a bit of a trouble maker, lying to his teachers, stowing away in cars, and landing himself in the police station. He wants his parents to get back together, so he?s not too thrilled when his mother decides to marry Rick Barnes (Vince Vaughn), a rich philanthropist who?s new to town. When young Danny stows away in Rick?s car, he witnesses his stepfather commit a horrible crime. When he tells his parents and the police about what he saw, no one believes him because of his troublesome history. His father only starts to believe him when he realizes that Danny may have lied to others, but he?s never lied to him. Frank begins a search into the real identity of Rick Barnes, discovering that he?s not who he claims to be, and suddenly Frank is in a race against time to save his ex-wife (Teri Polo) and son from the murderous grip of Rick Barnes..

But while all the ingredients were there, somehow Domestic Disturbance just didn?t quite turn out. For one thing, Travolta, though arguably the ?star? of the show, , doesn?t stand out onscreen. He seems old, out of shape, and uncomfortable in action sequences. As Frank, a poor boat builder with an affinity for diet soda (I?ll bet he was an alcoholic before the divorce), Travolta comes off as a caring dad and a genuine nice guy, but he doesn?t quite make his hero position believable: Are you going to tell me this pudgy, middle-aged man can take out a young, virile, oh-so-fit Vince Vaughn? Well, I guess it is Hollywood.

Vaughn, on the other hand, is quite good as the evil stepfather, though his sunken-in, brooding eyes and wicked childish grin were vaguely familiar: Can we say 1999 Psycho remake? He?s plays the character of Rick Barnes well, perfectly blending the nice and innocent on the outside and pure evil on the inside?his performance was money, baby!

The cr?me de la cr?me, however, is Steve Buscemi as Ray. If you?re a fan of Buscemi, he?s not in the movie long enough to go just to see his performance?but what little onscreen time he has is pure genius. From his greasy slicked-back hair and slouching stance to the way he smokes a cigarette is all done in classic Buscemi style. He?s got some great lines (especially one about a mixer from Crate and Barrel) and is just enough of a sleazeball for us to love.

The movie is a bit slow at times, but when it needed action and thrilling excitement, it had it. I admit I did jump a few times?especially during the 15-minute climax finale, when glass is shattering, blood is gushing, and paint cans, stools, and a crowbar are all being used in self-defense. I can say that veteran thriller director Harold Becker, who did Sea of Love, Malice, and City Hall, came through again with Domestic Disturbance, delivering suspense, thrills, and a lot of gasps.

If you?re looking for a thriller with typical elements, a great cast, and a few scenes that?ll make ya jump, then go see Domestic Disturbance. It?s definitely disturbing.