The Quiet (2005) Reviews

• Unexpected

  frankfrankfour2006-09-02

  I walked into this movie thinking it would suck based on reviews. I was surprised that it actually was interesting and provocative. I think some people might have trouble handling the subject matter and the fact that it's treated with equal parts seriousness and humor. But uncomfortable laughter to me is the sign of a movie that actually pushes some of our buttons and that's a good thing. The cast here is wonderful, in particular Elisha Cuthbert, who proves she can act and Katy Mixon, who nails the bitchy teen banter that can be so typical in other movies. The direction is heavy handed at times but the humor does a good job of undercutting the heavy atmopshere. The ending does have some problems which I won't post here since I don't want to give anything away, but overall I think any movie that manages to be this disturbing is worth a look. I suspect this film will be re-evaluated when its time has come.

• A distressing but well executed film

  kenningtonr2005-09-12

  This film receives a 10 for disturbing subject matter. It is at times very difficult to watch. The characters are troubled, each in his/her own way. It feels edgy and often very foreign. With that warning, I must say that on some level I enjoyed the film. Technically it is superb. The character development is wonderful, the story intriguing and the plot is gripping. As the plot unfolds, you are forced to change your opinions about each of the characters. At first I despised the main character but felt much sympathy for her towards the end. Not an uplifting film, but that is certainly not what the screenwriter nor the director intended. I suspect that it will be an award winner.

• The Unquiet Quiet

  cdelacroix12006-09-02

  I just saw this movie last night. And haven't been able to get it out of my mind. I liked it so much - and at so many levels - I hardly know where to begin. First, there's the darkness. Quiet, and not-so-quiet, darkness is everywhere in so many ways. This is neo-noir at its best. Then there's the humor. Frankly, I didn't realize how much humor there was until I had read the other comments on this movie. While watching the movie I kept catching myself letting out a chuckle at the oddest times, or so I thought: but then I realized others around me were laughing at the same times; and, like me, sort of catching ourselves: all the laughter was quick, disturbed laughter. Still, the other commentators are right: humor is definitely an important and surprising feature of this movie. Very dark humor, very quirky and ironic humor, but humor sprinkled (if that's the word) throughout the rough texture of this movie. The subject matter was handled superbly in my opinion. Sexual abuse is always disturbing matter. I kept thinking of comparisons between this movie and "Hard Candy" and "The Woodsman." regarding how this very challenging material is depicted. In "The Quiet," The attention to the "systems" dynamics of abuse was very disturbing, but very realistic. Nina's ambivalence about her incestuous relationship with her father; her manipulation of him; her dreams of bloody revenge; her myriad ways of "coping" with the ongoing horror that both horrifies her (and us) and is so much a part of her life that it's just 'the way things are" to her in so many ways. Her father's interactions with her are thoroughly realistic. And so is the whole world of Nina's mother. "Hard Candy" and "The Woodsman" in their ways also confront the complex dynamic of sexual abuse. However, for depth and breadth in depicting these dynamics, I really think "The Quiet" comes out clearly superior to the other two movies, as fine as they are. In addition, "The Quiet" sets side by side two very different - and yet so very alike - forms of young trauma. Nina is traumatized by her father's presence: sexually abusive, emotionally entrapping, overwhelming and enveloping her world so much that she seeks all around her opportunities to break out and escape. Dot, in contrast, is traumatized by her father's absence: dead, stripped from her with a suddenness and finality that leaves her utterly unreconciled to his demise; reduced to ash that she dabs on her tongue but cannot taste. Nina and Dot are both ambivalent in so many ways. Both blame themselves in regard to their fathers; both love their fathers; and miss their fathers; and both share so much more than is at all apparent at the beginning of the movie. The acting was just wonderful throughout. The lovely Elisha Cuthbert is utterly convincing as Nina. Camilla Belle depicts Dot with a sensitivity and darkness and vivid colorlessness that is both appealing and repelling. Martin Donovan as Nina's father, and Edie Falco as Nina's mother, are frankly to me simply perfect in their roles. The depiction of high school life has been endorsed for its realism by high schoolers both in the Comments and on the Message Board. Certainly it comes across not only as a realistic teen world, but as a kind of identity-defining context that attracts and repels and amuses, all at once. All in all, "The Quiet" is to me a superb combination of neo-noir darkness, quirky humor, and deep, disturbing exploration of the dynamics of trauma and sexual abuse. I think I'll try to see it again before it goes out of the theatres. I feel deeply grateful for this movie, and for all who were involved in making it a reality. It's not often I find myself drawn back to see a movie like this again and again. Thanks, folks!

• Surprisingly Compelling Viewing

  lizbrush2007-05-02

  Go watch "The Quiet"! Quickly! I can't get over what a good film it is – what a surprise! After watching The Quiet, I checked out its many awful critic reviews, then looked at it on the good old IMDb. Another surprise - it pretty much has nothing but raving user reviews – the People have spoken. I'm inclined to agree, as I picked the film up because I heard it was a thriller about normal people's dark, guilty secrets, which is always fun! I didn't really know much about the actual plot, and so, late last night, when I bunged it on the DVD with the idea of watching ten or so minutes before bed, I found that I couldn't stop watching it. I felt *compelled* to watch, even when the film was plumbing it's darkest depths and I was hanging over the edge of my seat feeling at my most unsettled and muttering to myself things like "mad" and "off key". If you don't already know what happens, I assure you, you will be completely surprised. The subject matter is one of those ones that some people think should never be dramatised, and it definitely *does* leave you unsettled (catch the scene where Nina confides her plan to Dot in the cafeteria – disturbing!), but I would say it will stick in my head, as apart from the twists, and the intense construction of suspense, the characters, who all start out as unsympathetic, go through such brilliantly contrived arcs, that you find yourself empathising with even the most evil. The two main characters are wicked – Elisha Cuthbert from 24 packs a stirring punch as the popular cheerleader from Hell with an unbelievable dark side and a complex set of issues, while Camille Bell puts in a career topping turn as not-so-deaf Dot, keeper of everyone's secrets – and work really well together. You also may find yourself laughing nervously a certain points and feeling bad for doing so, but that just means that the makers have provoked a reaction… Basically, I totally got more than I expected and I would recommend The Quiet to most people as shocking but compelling viewing! But, *don't* watch if you can't stand a film that makes you a bit uncomfortable, or one that makes you feel kinda guilty for liking it!

• Offbeat Award

  trev892006-09-04

  This film is very different from everything else out there, which is one reason why it has gotten so much attention here on IMDb. Some love it, some hate it, just like every movie. The subject matter is not the most appealing to the public, but I think that it gives the movie character. Looking back I can see many of the things that should have been changed, but the movie is a break out. A different type of movie, it is so different than everything else out there. It is original, and out-there. When watching this film you MUST be open-minded. Do not look at any of the negative reviews and watch the movie fresh of mind. If you know everything that is going to happen it makes it less entertaining too. If you have no clue what the movie was about I think it also gives it that much more of a sharper edge.