The Caller

I have watched the film life of Frank Langella beginning with 'The Twelve Chairs' back in the 70s'. His Charismatic ability and dynamic screen force is impressive. This movie calumniates with all the cinematic experience he has accrued over his career. The film is entitled " The Caller." If you are expecting a lot of action, thrills or explosive drama, this is not one of them. Instead, what one sees is the story of an aged Executive who has seen enough corporate destruction to fill his conscience and like most humanitarians, wants to atone for his part. Langella plays Jimmy Stevens an ex-CEO of a multi-Billion dollar corporation which continues to destroy 3rd world countries without remorse. Planting the seeds of failure within the corporation, Stevens knows he will be marked for death. Realizing he has become a target, Jimmy hires private investigator Frank Turlotte (Elliott Gould) to be a witness during his last days. The movie becomes a death watch for a man who has learned in his youth, that death, even when slow in arriving, is death none-the-less and there is nothing to do but wait and reminisce. Touching in its inception, the film is a remarkable heartfelt legacy of humanity realizing its own destruction. This film will no doubt become a milestone for Langella which will culminate in becoming a Classic. ****

This is one of those films that never gets off the mark. It has an interesting premise, but then it's characters stop communicating. Everything they say has a constipated double intent. Some of them don't know what is going on and, unfortunately, neither do we. So we get all this talk, passing by the receptors. I really don't understand all the motivations. Do we choose to die because we are tired of the game? Perhaps. I'm kind of an embrace life guy and if we are going to go out, do it in a blaze of glory. Not lying on the edge of the bay. Who are these guys and why do they invest so much effort to complete their job. Espionage and all its implications are fine when we are seeking information steeped in layers of cover up. Here we have a man resolved to die. Is there more to this. The past is revealed but is that a reason for the motivations here? I just didn't fined myself compelled to go ahead.

This was really quite a good movie, but not necessarily one for "consumers" of movies not accustomed to dialog between characters, or those who expect the meaning to reside primarily in the plot. In this film, the minute details of who is trying to kill the protagonist and exactly why, is purposely left vague.

This is a character study, and examines the fundamental truth, that each of us is isolated in the universal moments of their life, such as death. Simply sharing that moment with someone, confirms the profound meaning of the human connection.

I also appreciate that this film presents mature actors in an way that does not reduce them to stereotype. Other cultures, still portray a broad spectrum of characters in their films, allowing different age groups and generations to interact in meaningful ways. It's refreshing to see this in an American film.

In summing up, I think this movie has more meaning for those more than half-way through their journey in life.

I saw this at Cinequest in San Jose, in the gorgeous California Theater, but this movie would look good in the homeliest cineplex. This is the rarest of thrillers: one that makes its impact through careful character studies and a refusal to give up its secrets. Frank Langella gives a sterling performance as the corporate whistle-blower marked for death, subtle and surprising in its emotional power. Elliott Gould isn't quite as effective as a private detective/birder, but he is very watchable as he watches his subjects, both human and avian. "The Caller" actually looks more like a fine French drama, in its attention to detail and the deft use of its child actors. Definitely worth watching!

Don't walk in to "The Caller" expecting any explosions or nudity, because you won't get it. (In fact I believe only one gunshot is used in the film).

Frank Langella and Elliot Gould, arguably two of Hollywood's most underrated, star in this sleeper thriller that follows Jimmy Stevens (Langella), an energy analyst who had recently sent out damaging information to his company via e-mail. He realizes that he will most likely be executed because of it and he has a Private Detective (Gould) follow him on what will most likely be his last days, the Detective unaware that the man who hired him and the man who he's tailing are the same.

I liked "The Caller", but it ran a bit slow. Langella and Gould have two of the most relaxing voices and demeanors on the planet (at least to me) so their many scenes of dialog were almost fascinating. But the lack of almost any action will probably ward off any Die Hard or Rambo fan. Use "Public Enemies" for an example; a fine film that may talk too much and not thrill enough.

The central theme of the film seems to be death, and it is represented very well in the flashbacks of Langella's character. He is a haunted man who is ready to meet his maker, and ready to end it by outing the company he works for. Langella and Gould are perfect for their roles.

"The Caller" is a very good film if you are in a thinking mood, but not if you are ready for any amount of action. Kudos to all involved!