Skeletons in the Closet

There's a reason why you've never heard of this movie... it's not any good! However, I must admit that the movie does keep your attention; but that's only because you think the movie's going to be good or the climax will be spectacular. Not so. The film tries to be clever like every other Hollywood thriller by gradually giving pieces of the puzzle; and when the puzzle is finally solved you're not thinking, "Oooohhh, I get it now!," but rather, "Big deal, no surprises there." My overall thought: the film seems more like an episode of a TV thriller (such as Profiler) rather than a movie.

Will Reed (Treat Williams) is a middle-age widow, living with his problematic son Seth (Jonathan Jackson) in a small American city. Will works in a factory, and has some affair with his colleague Tina Conway (Linda Hamilton). Seth blames Will for the loss of his mother when he was six years old. When Seth is eighteen years old, some crimes happens in the neighborhood. Will suspects that the crimes have been committed by Seth, and Seth accuses his father of being paranoiac. The end of the story reveals many secrets. This television movie has a reasonable screenplay, but it is very supported by the performance of the cast. The cynical character of Jonathan Jackson and the dramatic one of Treat Williams are indeed very well performed. The aged Linda Hamilton has a minor, but correct acting. The supporting cast is also very good. I do not know what type of film was used, but the image looks like a television show or news. Although not being outstanding, this dramatic and suspenseful movie entertains. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "Lembranças Macabras" ("Macabres Remembrances")

The film was better than I expected. I have to admit I was skeptical when my Brother's fiance brought this film home. But we were bored and she seemed enthusiastic to see it, since she evidently met the lead actor (Jackson) once.

Right off the bat I was taken aback by a visual display that was far from impressive. I had a problem watching the film because of the (in my opinion) unprofessional camera-work, which became so distracting in parts that I had problems relating with the characters in the film. Some of the interior scenes are shot from a different room than the one the actors are in (literally "peeking" around a corner), seeming to suggest a director of photography with a serious fear of intimacy.

All of my problems with the camera-work aside, I thought the acting in the film was impressive. I have seen several Treat Williams films, and I never thought much of him as a dramatic actor. This was his best performance to date, which isn't saying all that much, but he did a decent job. I am not familiar with whatever soap opera produced Jackson but this film proved all the potential he has. His acting range was impressive and his delivery is exceptional. The only negative thing I can say about the part of Seth, would be, did they have to use so much make-up? I don't think male characters really need to be wearing "fire-engine red" lip-stick.

After all was said and done, I wasn't upset that I watched this film, which means it exceeded my expectations. Plus, with the right crowd, it is a down-right blast to make fun off. But that is only if you are actively trying to antagonize your future sister-in-law.

...Jonathan Jackson had it in him? I first saw a poster for this movie at the grocery store, and decided that I had to see it. I thought it was horror, but it was actually drama. Seth's dad suspects that his son may be a murderer, although he has trouble finding evidence to convince anyone else. Throughout the movie, we also become suspicious of him and the mysterious fire that killed Seth's mother. "Every family is a hierarchy ruled by its sickest member. The trick is figuring out who that is." The ending made me cry.

"Skeletons in the closet" is a movie that is not noisy and action packed like most of the thrillers are. It is quiet and you have to turn up the volume to hear the whisperings of the lead protagonist, Seth, many a time. One thing that I particularly noted in this movie was that there is very little background music interfering with the dialogues, which I really appreciated. In most movies, we can not hear a word of the dialogue due to the background din.

The interesting factor here is the psychoanalysis of this character and how all the other characters relate to him and contributed to his mental status. The movie is based on the theory that a person is severely affected by what s/he experiences as a child. All these emotions are beautifully portrayed by Jonathan Jackson, and you really end up feeling bad for Seth Reed. There are lots of kids being misguided or not guided either-way, within and without their homes, which turn them into confused anti-socials (especially if they already have acquired criminal instincts genetically). These same kids would have had better chances of leading a peaceful existence had they been taken care of and been well-guided. The same way, Seth could have been a successful pianist or anything he wanted to be, had he been saved from what even he himself does not comprehend. This has been portrayed so sensitively and so strikingly that this movie is a must-see for all viewers who like thought provoking stories.

Just like the ambience is quite gloomy throughout the movie, the songs too are melancholic, soulful and beautiful. The theme may not be unique, but the treatment and acting (esp. Treat Williams and Jonathan Jackson) is definitely outstanding and laudable. Excellent movie...