reel critics

Clem Dominguez

If you want to see a fast-paced thriller that totally entertains this

is it. The beginning is a bit confusing as there is one plot and two

subplots unfolding, but once all the characters are in place and the

story reveals how everything is intertwined it’s nail-biting time.

Michael Douglas plays an upper west-side psychiatrist who gets an

urgent call from one of his colleagues. He wants Douglas to see a patient

named Elizabeth (Brittany Murphy) immediately. Being it’s Thanksgiving

eve he’s very reluctant, but agrees to do so.

He comes home after doing his Thanksgiving shopping and is met by his

8-year-old daughter Jamie (Skye McCole Bartusiak) and his wife (Famke

Janssen).

The next morning they start looking for Jamie to go to the

Thanksgiving parade then realize she’s been abducted.

A cell phone rings and the kidnapper explains that in order to get

Jamie back Douglas must find out the six-digit number that Elizabeth has

tucked away in her subconscious, and he must do it by 5 p.m. that day.

The time deadline involved in finding the number is what really raises

the level of suspense in this film.

The subplot of a pushy NYPD detective, Jennifer Esposito, who’s

searching for the killer of two people, also helped amp up the intensity.

We know there’s a tie-in but we just can’t figure it out.

I especially enjoyed the performance of Murphy. You really felt for

her once you understood her dilemma. Bartusiak was great as the spunky

lovable little girl and Douglas was excellent, as usual.

What really hooked me on this movie was the elusive six-digit number.

You keep wondering what it is. Is it an account number, a house address,

a safe deposit number, what?

I would definitely recommend you take a couple hours out and go see

this one, you won’t be disappointed. And when you find out what that

six-digit number is, please “Don’t Say a Word!”

* CLEM DOMINGUEZ, 57, is an aspiring screenwriter and film fanatic.