STIR OF ECHOES PG-13
Starring Kevin Bacon, Kathryn Erbe, Illeana Douglas
Eric says: ********1/2 (8 1/2)
O.K., let's get this over with up front - yes there are quite a few similarities to "Sixth Sense". This is still a thrill of a movie in its own right. Kevin Bacon feels like a real guy whose seeing his life slip away, at least from what he had imagined for himself, not to be so "regular". You'll find yourself understanding why he is so motivated - because this is his chance to do something special. Played perfectly by Kathryn Erbe is his wife, worried, upset and creeped out, like any sane person would be. She brings a tangible sense of character to what could have been yet another woman-beside-main-character role. She also definitely adds a feel of sensuality that you only get from someone acting natural, who isn't trying. And while the son is no Haley Joel Osment, he doesn't have to be, very capably acting out the part of the psychic boy in, what is really, just a supporting role. Actually, the movie could have upped it a notch by delving a little deeper into his powers. Illeana Douglas is quickly ascending my list of favorite actresses with her portrayal of the quirky pot-smoking hypnotist-in-training who opens Kevin's doors.
As for the movie itself, there's a nice blend of supernatural and good old fashioned natural to keep the viewer's attention. With subtle scares and truly scary occurrences like kidnapping, you're interested throughout. The ending reveals a twist that the viewer may have forgotten about by then. Soundtrack-wise, this is the best usage of the song played in the commercial and trailers that I have ever seen, it actually means something! The actors took this film a rung above the writing, making it one worth seeing.
David says: ?????????? (?)
I still need to see it.