In ascolto

A mediocre spy flick, not worth the last hour, this movie could have been a lot better with better editing, to liven it up and make it a good chunk shorter. It takes a nose dives and stalls somewhere in the middle, despite its realistic plot line.

Michael Parks did a great job as an actor, there were other good performances from some others in the cast, however I had trouble finding the character of Francesca believable because her emotions sometimes conflicted with the scene she was in.

As far as this one goes, i would avoid it and watch something like SpyGame, its a little more far-fetched but at least it wont put you to sleep (yes i think the government has the Tech to screen every phone call) As to you crackpots out there rating this movie a 10, how can this movie be everything that every other movie is not, and worth a perfect score?

This is an absolutely fantastic film.

It's a very clever spy thriller....the kind that few make any longer. The fact that the technology is accurate made it even more absorbing.

The direction and acting were superb. The was fast-paced, enthralling and full of suspense. And the cinematography was absolutely beautiful. The attention to detail was spectacular.

Reports are that it was exceptionally well received at the New York Film Festival.

Its truly a moving film and a come-together bonding experience for the whole audience.

Really a superb bit of film.

Like something out of the pages of "The National Enquirer", "The Listening" is entertaining, as long as you don't let facts get in the way of a good story. After all, the best science fiction, is believable science fiction. Michael Parks goes up against the government's National Security Agency and a private corporation supplier, trying to save an innocent Italian woman from their abusive silencing techniques. Though the movie has it's flaws in the logic department, the intriguing subject matter overcomes any glitches in the story. If you are one of those people who is paranoid about "big brother" listening, this is a film you might want to avoid, because it will definitely strike a nerve. - MERK

Those who enjoy Hollywood thrillers, a la the recent Manchurian Candidate, should not be disappointed. Refreshingly we find the US NSA and its American corporate partners in the role of bad guys. The saving grace for the American side is that the hero is a conscientious NSA staff in the role of master saboteur of a new Big Brother spying technology called Tumbleweeds that can listen to conversations even when cell phones are not in use (but ON of course). Clearly a potential concern of the moment. To some all this may appear far-fetched, even conspiratorial, but it is within the realm of the possible, especially considering the increasing collaboration of phone companies with the NSA. Would you rely on Nokia, Samsung and other phone manufacturers to protect your privacy?

The movie gives out lots of interesting factoids about the Echelon spying system that the plot revolves around, which a subsequent web search proved to be largely accurate (or, at least, largely accurate according to one of the various hypotheses about the system).

I found the acting to be fairly weak and unconvincing, especially the lead bad guy, but others as well. At points the acting had me thinking I was watching some kind of B movie, although there were enough decent actors to keep me wondering.

At several point plot issues had me going "Yeah, right." While you can let them slide on technology issues (although one piece of technology that plays a major role in the plot, which supposedly dates back half a century, is particularly questionable), it was often the characters' reactions to the situations they were in that had me wondering "Who would actually do that if they were in such a situation?"

Overall, though, the movie kept me entertained but the draw backs only allow me to give it a Luke warm recommendation, although I'd recommend it more strongly to conspiracy theorists and others who dig this kind of thing.