Reel Critics

Clem Dominguez

“Domestic Disturbance” is a brief and predictable attempt at a

suspense thriller. The plot is good and the cast excellent. But when it

was over I felt cheated.

Part of the blame has to go to the trailers, which give away so much

of the story line. All we’re left to do is fill in the blanks. Frank

(John Travolta) is a struggling wooden boat builder who has a 12-year-old

son living with his ex-wife Susan (Teri Polo). Susan is about to get

married to Rick (Vince Vaughn) a wealthy new addition to the town. Frank

and Susan’s son, Danny played by Matt O’Leary, is angry and makes several

attempts to run away.

When an ex-crime partner, played by Steve Buscemi, shows up at Rick

and Susan’s wedding we learn Rick has some old baggage he needs to take

care of.

As the story progresses Danny witnesses his new stepfather committing

a totally predictable violent crime.

After the crime, the question I kept asking myself was why would

Danny, who was already afraid of Rick, jump in the back of Rick’s car?

The reason Danny gives to the police later is that he needed a ride to

his dads. To me it seemed this was just plugged in to try to gloss over a

flaw in the script.

It was nice seeing John Travolta play a good guy again. Steve Buscemi

was great as the sleazy bad guy. Before he even said a word you knew

trouble had arrived. Teri Polo played the tormented ex-wife well. She

reacted like I expect most moms would in the dilemma of whom to side

with, the new love of her life or her son. Diane (Susan Floyd) played

Frank’s girlfriend. I think her character could easily have been

eliminated. This might have given us a little more empathy for Frank

going home to an empty nest. Matt O’Leary was also very convincing and

reacted like I believe most kids his age would have if put in this

situation.

This movie is definitely not for kids, especially ones with step dads.

I wouldn’t bother to see this movie, it’s just isn’t good enough to waste

an evening on.

On my viewing scale it gets a D+.* CLEM DOMINGUEZ, 57, is an aspiring

screenwriter and film fanatic.