You would be forgiven if the title sounds familiar. Haven’t there been dozens of films with that title, you ask? Not really, but it does have a ring of Generic Thriller Title. This title fits the film both in terms of content and in overall unexceptional effect.

Synopsis

John Travolta is doing his best. He and Teri Polo have divorced amicably, and they’re trying hard not to make this too difficult for their son, who is entering his troublesome teens. Polo is even marrying Extremely Likeable Guy Vin…e Vaughn. However, as Polo would know had she seen the Psycho remake, Vaughn is not what he seems. When Travolta’s son witnesses Vaughn kill an ex-associate (Steve Buscemi), no one will believe him because he’s cried wolf too often. No one, that is, except Travolta.

This is an acceptable thriller, well put together, well performed, but deeply unsurprising and rather pedestrian. We’ve seen it all before, and we’ll see it again.

Audio

The sound is pretty solid as far as the environment is concerned. The music and the sound effects have are given a strong surround mix (especially noticeable during storm sequences). The left-right separation isn’t half bad, either. There is, however, noticeable buzz on a fair bit of the dialogue. No reason for that in a contemporary release.

Video

The picture is presented in 2.35 anamorphic widescreen. The blacks are solid (and this is a good thing, since there are many, many nights sequences), and there is no grain. There is, however, some edge enhancement visible. There is also the matter of the colours. The whole film looks drab and overcast, even when the scene is sunny. The trailer is noticeably brighter than the feature itself.

Features

The primary extra is the commentary by director Harold Becker. This is very good: Becker is articulate and informative, taking us scene by scene through the film, explaining how things were done (how shots were staged, what decisions regarding tone of performances were made, and so on) and also why these decisions were made. We also have six deleted scenes (with optional commentary by Becker). Becker introduces the entire collection of deleted scenes as well (though this is audio only). Two storyboard sequences are reproduced (but not, sadly, with comparisons to the film itself), and there’s a trailer. The menu has a fully animated and scored main page, but the transitions and secondary pages are basic.

Closing Thoughts

Though there is nothing that really stands out about either the film or the disc, there is nothing that is really bad either. Mark this one as rigorously okay.

Special Features List

• Director’s Commentary
• Deleted Scenes
• Storyboards
• Theatrical Trailer