The Caller

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.

An ostensibly successful man receives a mysterious business call. Lured by the money offered, he accepts the short-term temporary job. He determines it is necessary to disguise his true identity to perform his mission, but in doing so he loses the faith of the caller. The caller cannot clearly explain what it is he hopes for from the arrangement, which jeopardizes the partnership. Apparently, he expects people to read his mind. The audience is tasked with explaining with rationalizing why that is so.

The plot has many elements that are similar to The Conversation but they are much more direct. I believe this allowed the characters to be more compelling as the viewer's brain isn't constantly spinning in an effort to solve the puzzle. Like most of the characters you'll probably know how things are going to end early on. Usually I would be disappointed in a movie that I knew the outcome only minutes after it began but the strong performances allowed me to attach myself to theme of the finite nature of our existence. I would've liked to have seen Laura Harring's character introduced sooner and the relationship further developed but I understand that not being much to it was the point.

That is all pretty general but if you like these movies and or performances I think that you'll enjoy The Caller.

As previously stated The Conversation has many similar elements. Elliot Gould is every bit the equal of Gene Hackman, although I doubt any of the young male actors become Harrison Ford.

The Fall has a similarly age mismatched relationship with a precocious young girl struggling to come to terms with very adult issues.

Frank Langella's performance reminded me of a less menacing Laurence Olivier in Marathon Man. Maybe it was the WWII age character roaming around NYC?

I also found a connection between the mother and Yoda but I don't necessarily think this is for Star Wars fans. Curiously Helen Stenborg doesn't appear in the IMDb credits?

I throughly enjoyed each of those movies and feel that The Caller can easily be mentioned in the same breath with any of them.

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 not worth the electricity it takes to play it in a DVD player. I've seen thousands of movies and this with out a doubt ranks down there way at the bottom. Please save your time and just take a nap or something; I've seen home movies better than this. Now, the actors were okay; the story line was horrible. It was so slow. The scenery was ordinary, the traffic was as good as I've seen. How can you mess up cars and buildings in the background? When this was made, time would have been much better spent cleaning out drawers or moping the kitchen. It's just about as interesting as watching grass grow. Do yourself a great big favor and think of something else to entertain yourself.