A Scientist at the Movies Reviews by Greg Paris

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Title: Don't Say A Word

Theatrical release: 2001

Details:

Michael Douglas (Dr. Nathan Conrad)

Brittany Murphy (Elisabeth Maddox-Burrows)

Sean Bean (Patrick Koster)

Famke Janssen (Agatha 'Aggie' Conrad)

Jennifer Esposito (Detective Sandra Cassidy)

Oliver Platt (Dr. Louis Sachs)

Skye McCole Bartusiak (Jessie Conrad)

Director: Gary Fleder

Score: Mark Isham

Score: +

The Review: A mystery thriller wound around a reluctant witness and persistent inmate in protective psychiatric wards (Murphy). She appears in clinic the night before Thanksgiving, and is forced upon psychologist Nathan Conrad (Douglas) by the impatient admitting physician (Platt). The urgency of her case is then brought home with a jolt when Conrad's daughter is kidnapped that evening by some criminals who want the secret(s) Conrad's patient has hidden in her head, and insist on using Conrad as their extraction tool. A parallel story focuses on an NYC detective (Esposito) who is trying to connect a series of odd murders. The two threads rapidly weave together. Conrad's wife and daughter prove particularly resourceful, and Conrad no less.

Taut thriller, well-paced and well-cast, with a number of surprises and twists to keep your pulse pounding. Sean Bean is a very good villain. Much better than Fleder's last directorial attempt, Impostor. Good, moody score by Isham.

(7-Jul-02)

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