1/5 Not worth your time.
  by Dr. Feelgood (USA)
This movie was stupid from the beginning, until the end. The characters' motivation, as well as the plot, didn't make a whole lot of sense.

3/5 Thank God for Elisha Cuthbert
  by
I, like many other straight teenage males (I'm 15, for the inquiring reader who wants to know), was attracted to this movie because of the rather blindingly obvious reason that Elisha Cuthbert's hot. As another reviewer aptly put it "There's a certain point where you mistake hotness for acting," perhaps one of the reasons Cuthbert has such a huge following, despite having been involved in only a handful of decent projects outside of 24. And as of now, I'm sort of split on whether this is one of them.

The biggest problem with the Quiet is, let's face it, the script. Now please don't bash me and say that it's a brave script and all, tackling these taboo subjects with courage. My point is, it was maybe a little too much courage. I DO think the script was brave - the *SPOILER* incest being the foremost issue and handled intriguingly - but it tried to load too much in with not enough actual writing talent to back it up. As even Dot, who was supposed to be the foil to all the other variously afflicted characters, ended up being weirdly messed up in her own way, I began to lose interest in her. Funnily enough, the character I thought was performed best was actually Cuthbert, whose character seemed notoriously difficult to pull off. Occasionally, her acting is awkward, but again, this is mostly because of the script, which throws her all sorts of 180s on her relationship with her father. Her acting during the particularly cheesy climax ended up being that scene's only saving grace, actually surprisingly genuine next to the deadpan and feeble attempts at being angry by Martin Donovan, Camilla Belle's unnecessarily distorted cries backed by little emotion, and the annoyingly placed sonata.

Despite those comments about the other actors, they performed decently in the other parts of the movie. For the most part, Donovan does an okay job, but he lacks the power to be the commanding force he's made out to be. Belle is a little better, but her odd narrated monologues are a little cliched and her "secret" is WAY too easily spotted. Shawn Ashmore is actually relatively convincing, but it's his character that's the weak point, the jock who extraneously has his own problems that add nothing other than a messy sex scene with Belle. I think the character that fares second best to Cuthbert is probably Edie Falco as the pill-popping mother who avoids everyone else's problems by merely passing out at night. She is particularly chilling during the climax ("It's a miracle"), and with Cuthbert makes the scene bearable.

The direction also feels kind of lackluster, especially in scenes such as the climax that are supposed to be intense, and instead feel simply amateur. There are a few strokes of genius - the scene where Cuthbert is holding the iron actually did have me on the edge of my seat - and scattered well-constructed shots, but it seems like the director's heart wasn't into it. Gratuitous lines of dialogue ("I cut goldfish in half," "I came four times. FOUR TIMES.") are treated as deep and then seem empty and silly.

So why a full three stars when this review seems like one star? Well, let's pick over the good things. For one, Elisha Cuthbert makes the movie worthwhile. She's really freaking hot (which she probably hears way too much), she's as convincing as she can be with what she's given, providing maybe the only interesting character in the whole movie, and she produced the film, which kept it from DVD purgatory. I have gained much more respect for her as an actress (and I mean for actual acting ability, other straight men), but really, why'd she pick this film? Regardless, besides Cuthbert there are a few other saving graces. I really couldn't stop watching it; the issues are so bizarre and presented with such boldness that it's captivating and engrossing. The other characters are interesting enough to lend at least a little credibility to the dark atmosphere, and it was never boring, even if it was clumsy.

However, I think that, if looking for another psychological thriller, I might end up reaching for He Was A Quiet Man instead of When A Stranger Calls.

4/5 excellent drama...
  by James C. Ward (Tuscaloosa area AL, USA)
this is a first-rate drama about family dysfunction. It has suspense- the cast is terrific- Camilla Belle, Elisha Cuthbert, Martin Donovan, and Edie Falco are in perfect form.

I rented this movie out of mild curiosity, and was surprised at the quality of the acting and writing.

3/5 OK Movie
  by Charlie Spivey (Richmond VA. U.S.A.)
This was an OK movie with a good story that will keep you watching. I am always looking for something with Elisha Cuthbert, ever since I saw her in "Girl Next Door". I think she would have been a good choice for the female lead in Black Snake Moan, had not Christina Ricci taken it ( she was excellent). This is definitely worth a look.

4/5 Not what you think...
  by Julie Samson (Canada)
I have just seen this movie and I was totally surprised by it. I decided to watch this with an open mind. Elisha and Camilla are excellent in this movie. We get intrigued at the very beginning and it doesnt let go till the end. If you want a good movie who keeps you guessing... this is the one for you. The musical score in this movie is exquisite... like good wine. It transports you and it is soothing. So, rent or buy this movie and remember... be quiet and listen... silence is the key.