Treat-Williams Movie Reviews

surprise ending suspenseful and enjoyable will watch it again several times

In this movie two Border Patrol officers (Treat Williams and Kris Kristofferson) find a jeep buried under sand.This jeep has
a high porered rifle and $800,000 in cash in it.When the government finds out about their find a massive drive is conducted to discard the evidence. The two Border Patrol agents
are forced to run for their lives. The agent played by Kristofferson is told the real story about the jeep.the rifle and the money.The truth is stunning. This is a very good movie
that is well worth watching.It will leave you wondering.

"Flashpoint" is a unique amalgam of suspense, conspiracy thriller and action. A picturesque movie that has the south Texas desert as much a part of the film as the actors. The movie's plot swirls around the discovery of a skeleton, a rifle, and over 800,000 dollars in cash in an almost-buried jeep on the border. Viewers will enjoy the allure of secrecy and cover-up, with protagonists determined to solve the answer why a man would be driving at night through the desert in a rainstorm with a rifle and almost a million dollars in cash. The characters played by Kris Kristofferson and Treat Williams, are similar to Elliot Gould in "Capricorn One" and Warren Beatty in "The Parallax View"(If you enjoyed these movies, you'll definitely like "Flashpoint"). Lastly, the film allows you to figure out the mystery on your own, and gives enough clues along the way to an unpredictable conclusion. P.S. I disagree with Leonard Maltin, I thought the title track at the end credits was a good, true-blue 80's tune( "I'm caught in a flashpoint...!")

A fine little movie based on a play by David Mamet. It maybe gets a little carried away with itself towards the end, and suffers from its "made for television" aesthetic, but it's still well-performed, gripping, and dark.

Outstanding movie about corrupt lawyers and big business. Any small manufacturer who has created a unique product and hopes to distribute it through stores like Staples, Office Depot, and CompUSA, (i.e., large U.S. specialty retailers) should see this movie before talking to anyone--particularly the buyers for the retailers. This movie takes viewers through the hair-raising twists and turns of deception and corruption that lead eventually to murder.

This version of the Jack Higgins book isn't bad. Fine performances by a varied cast: including, a steely-eyed Michael Caine; a cocky Donald Sutherland; a mysterious Robert Duvall, and the alway eerie Donald Pleasance, as well as a "nasty" turn by Jean Marsh, as a sympathetic villager. Judy Geeson and Jenny Agutter provide a little beauty amongst the "beasts", i.e., the Germans. The "American style" salutes seem out of place, by those playing Germans, e.g., Caine, as opposed to the "heil" salutes. [My tape was marred a little by some "garbled" sound at the end, I'll have to see if there is a DVD version.] I would say that it wasn't bad. There's also an interesting turn by Larry Hagman, of all people, as a "gung ho" American who's attempt to "see action" before he goes home to a "desk job" only gets him killed.

In spite of an all start cast giving excellent performances, this fanciful, classic WW2 adventure pales in comparison with the book upon which it is based. Having read the novel first, I admit I was sorely disappointed by the film version. However, if you've only seen (and enjoyed) the movie, you will be in for a treat when you read the book!

At long last, one of my favourite "fictional" World War II films is finally out on DVD and the transfer is excellent all round.

The 1970's was a period where war movies were filled with mercenaries, commando's and full steam ahead action....and "The Eagle has Landed" is no exception, but a better told tale than many others !

John Sturges shows once again why he is one sharpest action / suspense film directors around with this exciting filming of the very popular Jack Higgins novel. What makes this film so enjoyable, and able to withstand repeated viewings is the talented cast at the centre of this twisting tale of spies and espionage. Kurt Steiner (Michael Caine) is the disgraced leader of a group of crack German paratroopers that have been exiled to operate an MTB boat in the English Channel. Opportuntity comes their way in the form of Colonel Radl (Robert Duvall), with an incredible plot to secretly parachute into England and kidnap Winston Churchill from a country retreat. Donald Pleasance turns in a chilling performance as SS leader, Heinrich Himmler...Donald Sutherland in fine form as the IRA ally, Liam Devlin...Larry Hagman is the pompous and foolhardy Colonel Pitts and Treat Willians (in his first movie role) as the wiser and more wary American Ranger, Captain Clark. Jenny Agutter contributes the love interest as Molly Prior, and Jean Marsh puts in a cold blooded display as the Nazi sympathasier, Joanna Grey.

"The Eagle has Landed" has some great twists and turns and never lets the viewer relax as the story holds a keen balance between action, suspense, romance and tragedy. Highly recommended for those who like intrigue and adventure in their WWII movies !!

A highly entertaining and different WWII film that stands out from the rest.

The Age of Aquarius

The motion picture version of Hair is different from the more common theatrical version, which is still preformed today. This said, I feel that what it looses in being on a screen it makes up for in the benefit of real backdrops from rural farms to New York City. On screen musicals are unfamiliar to the younger audiences such as myself, but the songs are quite funny and the music is excellent. It is easy to enjoy the movie, including the songs if one accepts the parody involved. The movie is not all singing and dancing, there are numerous very serious moments, the most of which being the ending.
I thoroughly enjoyed the film. It was fun to picture my parents listening to those songs, dressed up like freaks. I felt that the movie dealt with the youth movement of the 60's well. The feelings and morals of the youth were expressed quite accurately, even if the events of the plot were less than realistic. I would recommend anyone who is curious about what the 60's were like, or anyone down for a good laugh to go see Hair.
One aspect of the movie I particularly liked was their opposition to the Vietnam War, and how they try to keep Claude from going to join the army. When Claude said "I'm going to fight for you" and is told "If that's why your doing it then don't because if it was the other way around I wouldn't do it for you" you really understand why they didn't want to see their friends go halfway around the world to die.
Although no one of the characters was exactly like me, I did feel that I related to George Burger the most. He acted ridiculous, but he knew that he was ridiculous. And he was always straight forward, when he wanted something, like the rich kid's car, he takes it. ...
I believe the films main message about youth culture was that of the youth movement of the 60's. They are anti-materialistic, in the beginning they beg for change, and then use it to rent a horse for an hour instead of buying food. [they] ...are defiant of authority; they sneak into a fancy party and then get arrested instead of leaving when told. And they are opposed to the war in Vietnam, the curly haired girl offers to marry Claude because she is pregnant and he wouldn't have to go.
As a whole, if you ignore the songs, the film captured the realities of teenage life in the 60's quite well. Unfortunately for me, the 60's were 40 years ago and life is not as it was in the days of Hair. Nonetheless this movie's depiction of teenage life and youth culture remains relevant, especially as our government now is heading in a similar direction as it did then. If the US goes to war with Iraq, we will be fighting two different wars with ground troops in two different foreign countries. If they last for a long time as they may, it is possible a draft would be instituted, at which point we would see just how relevant the youth movement is. There would be protest and widespread distrust of authority figures just as there was in the 60's. Let's all just hope that today's youth, generation Y or whatever you want to call them, doesn't have to follow in this aspect of their parents footsteps.

When HAIR first opened on Broadway, it had two things working for it: the intricate, catchy lyrics and nudity. Staid and proper, Broadway had thought it had seen it all until Hair came along and introduced love-in's and the counter-culture.

However, the book was always weak and the characters in the play had a tendency to wander about so that it was only the score that saved the show.

The movie takes the best of the play (words and music) and adds a strong, literate book to it so that Milos Foreman made a success of rather a mess.

Beautifully photographed, the movie has likeable characters and the most stunning camera work that had been used at that time. Bright, cheery and colorful, Hair is a visual feast for the eyes and ears. The songs are still wonderful and perfectly capture the spirit of the sixties and Twayla Tharp adds to the lustre with her imaginative and complex choreography.

This is a film where everything works. It's sad that some of the numbers had to be dropped (What A Piece Of Work Is Man) but what remains is stunning.

Hair belongs in the library of every serious musical lover.

This movie holds up very well over time, thanks largely to the music but also fine performances by John Savage and Treat Williams. Milos Foreman captured both the energy and the spirit of the stage classic, unlike other attempts to bring the stage to the screen such as Jesus Christ Superstar.

This movie speeds along at breakneck speed, pulling you into its orbit. So many wonderful cameos such as Nell Carter and Melba Moore. Hair retains so much of its power because it looks like everyone had such a great time making it. Their enthusiasm exudes from the screen.

The ending still left a lump in my throat, as I remembered a hushed theatre the first time I saw this film. No one moved until the screen went blank.

The Age of Aquarius

The motion picture version of Hair is different from the more common theatrical version, which is still preformed today. This said, I feel that what it looses in being on a screen it makes up for in the benefit of real backdrops from rural farms to New York City. On screen musicals are unfamiliar to the younger audiences such as myself, but the songs are quite funny and the music is excellent. It is easy to enjoy the movie, including the songs if one accepts the parody involved. The movie is not all singing and dancing, there are numerous very serious moments, the most of which being the ending.
I thoroughly enjoyed the film. It was fun to picture my parents listening to those songs, dressed up like freaks. I felt that the movie dealt with the youth movement of the 60's well. The feelings and morals of the youth were expressed quite accurately, even if the events of the plot were less than realistic. I would recommend anyone who is curious about what the 60's were like, or anyone down for a good laugh to go see Hair.
One aspect of the movie I particularly liked was their opposition to the Vietnam War, and how they try to keep Claude from going to join the army. When Claude said "I'm going to fight for you" and is told "If that's why your doing it then don't because if it was the other way around I wouldn't do it for you" you really understand why they didn't want to see their friends go halfway around the world to die.
Although no one of the characters was exactly like me, I did feel that I related to George Burger the most. He acted ridiculous, but he knew that he was ridiculous. And he was always straight forward, when he wanted something, like the rich kid's car, he takes it. ...
I believe the films main message about youth culture was that of the youth movement of the 60's. They are anti-materialistic, in the beginning they beg for change, and then use it to rent a horse for an hour instead of buying food. [they] ...are defiant of authority; they sneak into a fancy party and then get arrested instead of leaving when told. And they are opposed to the war in Vietnam, the curly haired girl offers to marry Claude because she is pregnant and he wouldn't have to go.
As a whole, if you ignore the songs, the film captured the realities of teenage life in the 60's quite well. Unfortunately for me, the 60's were 40 years ago and life is not as it was in the days of Hair. Nonetheless this movie's depiction of teenage life and youth culture remains relevant, especially as our government now is heading in a similar direction as it did then. If the US goes to war with Iraq, we will be fighting two different wars with ground troops in two different foreign countries. If they last for a long time as they may, it is possible a draft would be instituted, at which point we would see just how relevant the youth movement is. There would be protest and widespread distrust of authority figures just as there was in the 60's. Let's all just hope that today's youth, generation Y or whatever you want to call them, doesn't have to follow in this aspect of their parents footsteps.

When HAIR first opened on Broadway, it had two things working for it: the intricate, catchy lyrics and nudity. Staid and proper, Broadway had thought it had seen it all until Hair came along and introduced love-in's and the counter-culture.

However, the book was always weak and the characters in the play had a tendency to wander about so that it was only the score that saved the show.

The movie takes the best of the play (words and music) and adds a strong, literate book to it so that Milos Foreman made a success of rather a mess.

Beautifully photographed, the movie has likeable characters and the most stunning camera work that had been used at that time. Bright, cheery and colorful, Hair is a visual feast for the eyes and ears. The songs are still wonderful and perfectly capture the spirit of the sixties and Twayla Tharp adds to the lustre with her imaginative and complex choreography.

This is a film where everything works. It's sad that some of the numbers had to be dropped (What A Piece Of Work Is Man) but what remains is stunning.

Hair belongs in the library of every serious musical lover.

This movie holds up very well over time, thanks largely to the music but also fine performances by John Savage and Treat Williams. Milos Foreman captured both the energy and the spirit of the stage classic, unlike other attempts to bring the stage to the screen such as Jesus Christ Superstar.

This movie speeds along at breakneck speed, pulling you into its orbit. So many wonderful cameos such as Nell Carter and Melba Moore. Hair retains so much of its power because it looks like everyone had such a great time making it. Their enthusiasm exudes from the screen.

The ending still left a lump in my throat, as I remembered a hushed theatre the first time I saw this film. No one moved until the screen went blank.

I have seen The Phantom many times since its release in 96 and have to say that I enjoyed it very much. I have never read the comicbook or comicstrip but from what I have read in the other reviews on this page, it is not 100% accurate to the feeling of the source material. Nevertheless, it is a great, campy, fun filled movie.
Catherine Zeta Jones and Kristy Swanson are very sexy as their supporting characters, and in fact give the best performances of the whole movie. Treat Williams comes off as the campiest character of all in his portrayal of Xander Drax. His one-liners could have been done without. They were, however, not going for a very serious movie so you get what you get. Billy Zane was enjoyable to watch as the title hero, and his alter ego Kit Walker but the script needed a little work.
The plot of the movie revolved around the 21st in a long line of "Phantoms" and his quest to stop an archvillian from attaining three priceless skulls. If Drax were to get his hands on all three skulls, he would become very powerful. So, Kit (aka: The Phantom) sets out with his horse and wolf to capture Drax and reclaim the skulls.
With a mix of 1930s scenery and 1990s special effects, this movie was a definite family film, but may not be what you would expect if you read the old comics.

The Phantom is an enjoyable movie and true to the comics. The film's setting being in the 1930s really captures that time period, from the costumes to the vehicles. Billy Zane was just excellent in the role of the title character (with real muscles not fake rubber muscle suits like the Batman movies). He brought this classic comic book character to life with great personality, from humour to the serious, making a great superhero. Kristy Swanson (the original "Buffy the Vampire Slayer") plays the Phantom's love interest, Diana Palmer. She was just great in this movie as well, reminding me how underrated this actress is. This movie also stars Catherine Zeta Jones (the sexy lady in 1998's "The Mask of Zorro" film). She didn't have much to do here unfortunately. Treat Williams is the bad guy in this film, who, for some odd reason, portrayed it campy. This movie has some great stunts and action scenes but fails to be an Indiana Jones movie wannabe (ironically written by "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" writer Jeffrey Boam, who's also written "Lethal Weapon 2" and "Lethal Weapon 3"). The film's story could have been much better. Overall though, its still enjoyable to watch. Film director Joe Dante served as one of the executive producers on this movie.

This picture was ignored by most critics and few people saw it on the theaters here in Brazil. But it is a very good action movie. It has the spirit of Indiana Jones films, as it takes places in distant places, in a deep forest, it has a lot of mystic in the air and it happens during the II WW. The scenes of fight and action are very exciting and the famous super-hero seems to move very fast. Billy Zane is perfectly cast in the title role. Kristy Swanson was very beautiful and charming in her first movies, but seems to be loosing her attraction. The role of Diana here should have been played by gorgeous and athletic villain Catherine Zeta Jones, whose hair is even similar to the comics character (later she would appear in another comics character, "Zorro"). One of the reasons for the good production is the presence of Joe Dante as Executive Producer. He now could film the story of the honeymoon of the Phantom, which would be a great hit.

I have seen The Phantom many times since its release in 96 and have to say that I enjoyed it very much. I have never read the comicbook or comicstrip but from what I have read in the other reviews on this page, it is not 100% accurate to the feeling of the source material. Nevertheless, it is a great, campy, fun filled movie.
Catherine Zeta Jones and Kristy Swanson are very sexy as their supporting characters, and in fact give the best performances of the whole movie. Treat Williams comes off as the campiest character of all in his portrayal of Xander Drax. His one-liners could have been done without. They were, however, not going for a very serious movie so you get what you get. Billy Zane was enjoyable to watch as the title hero, and his alter ego Kit Walker but the script needed a little work.
The plot of the movie revolved around the 21st in a long line of "Phantoms" and his quest to stop an archvillian from attaining three priceless skulls. If Drax were to get his hands on all three skulls, he would become very powerful. So, Kit (aka: The Phantom) sets out with his horse and wolf to capture Drax and reclaim the skulls.
With a mix of 1930s scenery and 1990s special effects, this movie was a definite family film, but may not be what you would expect if you read the old comics.

The Phantom is an enjoyable movie and true to the comics. The film's setting being in the 1930s really captures that time period, from the costumes to the vehicles. Billy Zane was just excellent in the role of the title character (with real muscles not fake rubber muscle suits like the Batman movies). He brought this classic comic book character to life with great personality, from humour to the serious, making a great superhero. Kristy Swanson (the original "Buffy the Vampire Slayer") plays the Phantom's love interest, Diana Palmer. She was just great in this movie as well, reminding me how underrated this actress is. This movie also stars Catherine Zeta Jones (the sexy lady in 1998's "The Mask of Zorro" film). She didn't have much to do here unfortunately. Treat Williams is the bad guy in this film, who, for some odd reason, portrayed it campy. This movie has some great stunts and action scenes but fails to be an Indiana Jones movie wannabe (ironically written by "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" writer Jeffrey Boam, who's also written "Lethal Weapon 2" and "Lethal Weapon 3"). The film's story could have been much better. Overall though, its still enjoyable to watch. Film director Joe Dante served as one of the executive producers on this movie.

This picture was ignored by most critics and few people saw it on the theaters here in Brazil. But it is a very good action movie. It has the spirit of Indiana Jones films, as it takes places in distant places, in a deep forest, it has a lot of mystic in the air and it happens during the II WW. The scenes of fight and action are very exciting and the famous super-hero seems to move very fast. Billy Zane is perfectly cast in the title role. Kristy Swanson was very beautiful and charming in her first movies, but seems to be loosing her attraction. The role of Diana here should have been played by gorgeous and athletic villain Catherine Zeta Jones, whose hair is even similar to the comics character (later she would appear in another comics character, "Zorro"). One of the reasons for the good production is the presence of Joe Dante as Executive Producer. He now could film the story of the honeymoon of the Phantom, which would be a great hit.

The more I watch this film, the more I like it. I recently re-watched it after seeing DEEP BLUE SEA. DEEP RISING is aimed at a lower level, really, and I think it's better off for it. A B-movie at heart, DEEP RISING conquers DEEP BLUE SEA because it never once takes itself seriously, and the blend of light comedy and horror works well (director Sommers proved it a successful formula later with THE MUMMY).

It's not just the gags that I like, either. There's something about the beginning of the film that I find curiously evocative - this high tech speedboat racing racing racing with single-minded, straight-line purpose toward an unknown destination in complete darkness. The fact that the audience knows what the crew will find when they arrive makes it more tantalizing.

Still, with a B-movie one must have B-movie expectations. The CG effects are only average and often unconvincing. The plot motivations are ridiculous. The acting ranges from extremely engaging (Treat Williams) to labored (Anthony Heald).

The DVD presentation is sparse (typical for a Hollywood Pictures release). The transfer is great, but non-anamorphic. There is a trailer, but nothing else of note. The sound quality is exceptionally good.

Sorry to go back to this comparison, but here I go anyway. Where DEEP BLUE SEA is lofty, DEEP RISING is lowbrow. Both are decent films, and each has its strengths over the other, but since this one is a heckuvalot of fun (and the other just plain isn't), I'd rather watch DEEP RISING again.

I hope you found this review informative! Thanks for reading.

Don't be afraid to admit that you like this movie. Deep Rising is a terrific monster flick that delivers all that can be expected of a film of this type. You get thrills, chills, kills and more than a few laughs. The computer generated creature from the depths, is an ugly and vicious man-eater, that manifests itself in several different forms throughout the film. A twisting shiny gray mass, with numerous slimy looking tentacles, capable of great speed. This terror from the deep devours its victims with zest. All in all, a very cool looking monster, and a formidable opponent.

The human cast is not bad either. Treat Williams as "Finnegan" is a steady, likeable leading man, delivering some incredibly silly lines with an engaging smirk on his face. Pickpocket Famke Janssen, is dynamite in a red dress, and handles a gun like a pro. Comic relief is provided by Kevin J. O'Connor as "Joey", a character you will either love or hate. Anthony Heald as "Canton" the pompous ships owner, provides the "weasel factor". The hard-boiled mercenary group, led by "Hanover"(Wes Studi), ably performs their most critical function, that of being bloody fodder for the monster.

The plot enfolds in time tested fashion. Finnegan is hired to take a group of mercenaries to an unknown location at sea. They rendezvous with the "Argonautica" a disabled cruise ship, expecting to find it filled with passengers, only to discover just a handful of survivors. A mysterious creature is apparently loose on board. As the survivors continue to investigate the crippled ship, the monster makes its presence felt, and the fun begins. The body count continues to rise, and blood flows freely, up until the film's climax, where the monster pursues a jet ski through the ship's corridors. Wild mindless fun.

Writer and director Steven Sommers took the experiences gained from his first "creature feature", and put them to good use in his next films, the more commercially successful "The Mummy", "The Mummy Returns" and the yet to be released "Scorpion King".

Deep Rising is a great choice for pure escapist enjoyment. Jerry Goldsmith's soundtrack also adds considerably to the atmosphere and excitement. The DVD features just the movie and the trailer, and is perhaps a good candidate for the "Special Edition" treatment common these days, especially as this film has been overshadowed by Sommers latter efforts.

Boy, I do love the combination of ships and blood-fests. I thoroughly enjoyed both Virus and Ghost Ship, and now another favorite arises from the depths.

Despite no big name stars, get ready for some truly great performances from the cast; Treat Williams as Captain Finnegan, Kevin O'Conner (The Mummy) as Pantucci, Una Damon as Leila, and Jason Flemyng as Mulligan, just to name a few.

A group of would be robbers armed with torpedoes set out to terrorize and rob a luxury cruise ship, hiring Captain Finnigan and his ship and crew, who hire out to anyone with the cash, no questions asked. The cruise ship is sabotaged by an insider on board, but before the pack of robbers can make it onboard, something else takes control of the ship: the big squid thing.

Already on board is Trillian, played by Famke Janssen, a fairly incompetent female thief who manages to get herself locked in the vault before being able to steal a necklace she was after.

With Finnegan's ship disabled from running into a stray lifeboat, they all board the cruise liner, meet up with Trillian, and one by one fall victim Mr. Squid. Very action packed, rapidly moving, gorily fascinating splatter fest that is a five star must see. Especially when Mr. Squid vomits out the half digested guy who is still alive, one of my all time favorite horror movie scenes.

There are crunching skulls, folding metal, bursting pipes, rapid gunfire, and some pretty funny dialogue that manages to not sound out of place like so many flat one liners in horror films. All of the messy, gory, bloody lower levels of the ship, bending and peeling metal, various and sundry body parts, combine to announce the arrival of the squid-like monster with immense strength and an appetite to match. All in all, a wonderful journey with a surprise, funny ending. Enjoy!

A great movie with a plot that flounders a bit in the middle. Otherwise I would have given it 5 stars.

It starts as a very tense tightly-wound story about a small kid getting lost. We follow the family (and especially the mother) through its tremendous grieving process.

After an unexpected event that turns the story upside down on its head, we are invited to follow another story-within-story, which is really the ultimate headliner of the movie: What is a family?

The middle-class couple in question finds out that a family is, yes, the physical presence of its members. It is important to share the same house, genes and the same kitchen table.

But to their great surprise they find out that that is not enough. A family is also about shared experiences, memories, about the collection of all the little things that we hate and like about our parents, siblings, children and relatives. Take away those memories and what's left behind?

The film ends with a good twist that ties up all the loose ends nicely.

This is the sort of film experience that makes you think a lot about your own family as you're watching it. It makes you smile for the all positive experiences that you recall from your own childhood. And it also makes you cry for all the things that you've missed while you were a child and wish the fate had dealt you a better hand.

A roller-coaster of an emotional movie. Great acting by everyone in it. When it's over you feel a little tired from trying to control your own gut wrenching emotions. Recommended.

: Beth (Pfeiffer) and Patrick (Williams) Cappadora are a happy, ordinary family, with 2 young sons, until one day, in a busy hotel lobby, every parent's worse nightmare happens, one of them, Ben, the youngest, disappears. The loss of their 3-year-old shatters Beth and Patrick, and so they move away to another town to separate themselves from their grief. Nine years later, they finally move back, only to discover their son, now 12, living in the town with the people who kidnapped him all those years ago. The film follows the intricate family drama that ensues when the Cappadora re-unites.

"Deep End of the Ocean" is one of the most effective and emotionally heartwrenching films I have ever seen. It really shows how it only takes a minute for a child to be kidnapped and his family to be permanently affected because of it. Michelle Pfeiffer is excellent as Beth Cappadora, the loving but somewhat ditzy young mother who takes her two small sons and her infant daughter with her to a high school reunion at a hotel. There, Beth makes perhaps the biggest mistake of her life when she leaves the two boys alone right smack in the middle of a very crowded lobby while she pays at the front desk. As can only be expected when two young children are left unsupervised, something happens. The younger son--3-year-old Ben--disappears and is not found. After a series of breakdowns and withdrawals, Beth is finally able to start putting her life back together with the help of Pat, her extremely loving and supportive husband. Just when things are finally getting better for Beth and her family, a 12-year-old Ben randomly shows up at the Cappadoras' doorstep, so beginning another long period of confusion, fear, discomfort, and pain for everyone involved. It really is a very moving film; much like "The Face on the Milk Carton," but with a very different conclusion. "The Deep End of The Ocean" really grasps the issues of child abduction, the effects that it has on the other children in the family, and everything a mother goes through when she realizes that her child is lost and may never be seen again. I was personally touched by Jonathan Jackson's character--Vincent, the oldest Cappadora son. Only seven years old at the beginning of the movie, he ends up holding his family together when Ben disappears, and he is clearly overlooked throughout it all. Obviously, this plays a big part in the behavioral issues and problems that Vincent develops as he grows older. The character he plays is very realistic, and you come to understand how much he truly was overshadowed when Ben disappeared and how much he needs to know that his parents still love him and have forgiven him for what happened. (I won't say what he needs forgiveness for, but it all ties together in the movie.) Treat Williams was masterful as the loving husband. To me, he was the strongest part of the movie. He loved his wife unconditionally, he was a very caring father, and all he wanted was to help make his family whole again. Although he is sometimes a little unrealistic through his opinion that everything will fall right into place, it is very nice to know that there is a character in the movie with a very optimistic viewpoint and a belief that things will be all right in the end.
This is a movie that may move you to tears and may disturb you at some parts, but it is definitely worth seeing. The plot and the characters are presented in such a way that you can really see, know, and understand the ordinary life that they are forced to leave behind and the family issues which they don't choose but must take. Recommended viewing...very effective and poignant with a very strong message.

A great movie with a plot that flounders a bit in the middle. Otherwise I would have given it 5 stars.

It starts as a very tense tightly-wound story about a small kid getting lost. We follow the family (and especially the mother) through its tremendous grieving process.

After an unexpected event that turns the story upside down on its head, we are invited to follow another story-within-story, which is really the ultimate headliner of the movie: What is a family?

The middle-class couple in question finds out that a family is, yes, the physical presence of its members. It is important to share the same house, genes and the same kitchen table.

But to their great surprise they find out that that is not enough. A family is also about shared experiences, memories, about the collection of all the little things that we hate and like about our parents, siblings, children and relatives. Take away those memories and what's left behind?

The film ends with a good twist that ties up all the loose ends nicely.

This is the sort of film experience that makes you think a lot about your own family as you're watching it. It makes you smile for the all positive experiences that you recall from your own childhood. And it also makes you cry for all the things that you've missed while you were a child and wish the fate had dealt you a better hand.

A roller-coaster of an emotional movie. Great acting by everyone in it. When it's over you feel a little tired from trying to control your own gut wrenching emotions. Recommended.

: Beth (Pfeiffer) and Patrick (Williams) Cappadora are a happy, ordinary family, with 2 young sons, until one day, in a busy hotel lobby, every parent's worse nightmare happens, one of them, Ben, the youngest, disappears. The loss of their 3-year-old shatters Beth and Patrick, and so they move away to another town to separate themselves from their grief. Nine years later, they finally move back, only to discover their son, now 12, living in the town with the people who kidnapped him all those years ago. The film follows the intricate family drama that ensues when the Cappadora re-unites.

"Deep End of the Ocean" is one of the most effective and emotionally heartwrenching films I have ever seen. It really shows how it only takes a minute for a child to be kidnapped and his family to be permanently affected because of it. Michelle Pfeiffer is excellent as Beth Cappadora, the loving but somewhat ditzy young mother who takes her two small sons and her infant daughter with her to a high school reunion at a hotel. There, Beth makes perhaps the biggest mistake of her life when she leaves the two boys alone right smack in the middle of a very crowded lobby while she pays at the front desk. As can only be expected when two young children are left unsupervised, something happens. The younger son--3-year-old Ben--disappears and is not found. After a series of breakdowns and withdrawals, Beth is finally able to start putting her life back together with the help of Pat, her extremely loving and supportive husband. Just when things are finally getting better for Beth and her family, a 12-year-old Ben randomly shows up at the Cappadoras' doorstep, so beginning another long period of confusion, fear, discomfort, and pain for everyone involved. It really is a very moving film; much like "The Face on the Milk Carton," but with a very different conclusion. "The Deep End of The Ocean" really grasps the issues of child abduction, the effects that it has on the other children in the family, and everything a mother goes through when she realizes that her child is lost and may never be seen again. I was personally touched by Jonathan Jackson's character--Vincent, the oldest Cappadora son. Only seven years old at the beginning of the movie, he ends up holding his family together when Ben disappears, and he is clearly overlooked throughout it all. Obviously, this plays a big part in the behavioral issues and problems that Vincent develops as he grows older. The character he plays is very realistic, and you come to understand how much he truly was overshadowed when Ben disappeared and how much he needs to know that his parents still love him and have forgiven him for what happened. (I won't say what he needs forgiveness for, but it all ties together in the movie.) Treat Williams was masterful as the loving husband. To me, he was the strongest part of the movie. He loved his wife unconditionally, he was a very caring father, and all he wanted was to help make his family whole again. Although he is sometimes a little unrealistic through his opinion that everything will fall right into place, it is very nice to know that there is a character in the movie with a very optimistic viewpoint and a belief that things will be all right in the end.
This is a movie that may move you to tears and may disturb you at some parts, but it is definitely worth seeing. The plot and the characters are presented in such a way that you can really see, know, and understand the ordinary life that they are forced to leave behind and the family issues which they don't choose but must take. Recommended viewing...very effective and poignant with a very strong message.