Robin Williams was a poor choice to star in this dismal film. There was little plot for him to shine with and the storyline could have used less nasty and more suspense.It appears to be a suspense film/mystery but lacks the substance for one. Instead of sticking to what is supposed to be a real event, juice it up and use it to expand on with more fictional and better writing it would have been a good film. This was not, and a waste of time to watch.
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The Night Listener
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 16, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 16. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Complex mystery/thriller is best for adults.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 16–18
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About The Night Listener
Parents need to know that the movie is not for kids. It alludes to a child's sexual abuse in language and impressionistic, somewhat hectic visuals. Characters talk explicitly about sex (specifically, gay sexual activity and desire). An unhappy writer misses his boyfriend, then develops a friendship with a boy he never meets. Characters lie to one another, sometimes maliciously, sometimes out of seeming illness. A couple of arguments end in minor violence (pushing and shoving). Characters are depressed, physically ill, and mean to one another. Characters smoke cigarettes and drink.
Read our full review by Cynthia Fuchs
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about artistic processes. How does Gabriel use his experiences to write his stories? How is his process different from or like Donna's lying? How do both characters use someone else's misfortune (illness, abuse) to gain attention for themselves? How can writing (and reading) also be a healthy, community-building process?
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title off for age 17 and give it
disappointing
- I rate this title off for age 17 and give it
Awful movie!
I thought this movie was awful from the start! The language was SO BAD, I turned it off 10 minutes into it! The “F†word was dropped about 12 times or more from the start! I never even got to see Robin Williams. It could have gotten better, but if there is language like this in a movie. I won’t even give it a chance sorry! Robin Williams is a great actor, but he’s best when he’s funny!
- I rate this title off for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
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