Living with the Dead

I have just finished watching the first part of Living With the Dead. I would ordinarily never even think of writing a review until I had finished watching a movie until the credits stop rolling. Yet this film is the exception to the rule. Not since Lonesome Dove has there been a multi-part television endeavor that I actually have been excited about seeing the finish. Until now. Ted Danson gives one of the best performances of his career. Portraying the guilt ridden Catholic and stodgy bibliophile forced into facing things he doesn't want to face in a very believable and empathetic way. The rest of the cast is equal quality.

Stephen Gyllenhaal's direction is deft and workmanlike. Throw in Jeffery Jur's top notch and sufficiently creepy Cinematography and you got yourself a very worthwhile movie, made for television or not.

I have now waited a week to see the finish. I stand by my previously conclusions. While the story itself is unexceptional, the dialogue is good. Whether or not the story is true or the movie is like the book is immaterial to the quality and enjoyment for me. I watched it on CBS and even though it was interrupted with an unseemly amount of commercials and my advice is watch it uninterrupted if you can, I still enjoyed it. All-in-all, a very worthwhile movie to watch. I give it 8 stars out of 10.

I didn't expect much from that film. I was wrong. A man who can see the dead and talk with them is a risky subject. Besides, made for television movies dealing with supernatural events are often disappointing. Producers and directors seem to be afraid to scare audience in any way, and network self-censure doesn't improve that. "Living With The Dead" is a miraculous exception that could break the rule - if television gives us more like this. The actors are all excellent, with a special mention to Ted Danson, who probably gives here his finest performance. Mary Steenburgen is fine too, and both Jack Palance and Diane Ladd are too famous for I say how good they are. The screenplay is excellent, one of the best in TV's history. It alternates chilling and moving moments without any false note, using misdirection and red herrings with consummate skill. The whodunit is remarkably held and will let you guessing until the end. Characters are well-drawn, three-dimensional, not the puppets that one usually see in that kind of productions. A closer look reveals an intelligent reflection on death and how deal with it behind the thriller elements. And don't forget the most important thing: it REALLY SCARES. As I've said above, TV movies are rather weak on that. Not "Living With The Dead", that had me starting, shouting and shuddering more than once, without any gory effect. Kudos to the director. So if you like first-rate ghost stories, that one is a must-see for you. Don't miss it. Maybe the dead are behind you... Don't displease them!

I've accidentally found this movie on the Hallmark channel as there's no better choice on HBO and other movie channels that night. Without knowing anything about this movie I started watching it, and thinking that it might be just another horror movie. I must admit that I was kinda disappointed while I saw Ted Danson appeared on the movie cos I never really like Cheers and neither do I interested on any of his movie at all. But now, I must say Thank God I didn't switch to other channel which I almost did that night. This is an excellent movie with great actors, the performance of Ted Danson, Queen Latifah and Jack Palance impressed me a lot, and other actors were amazing in their roles too. I was stupid to ignore Ted Danson's movie in the past, he is really a great actor that acted with his heart and soul. This is not just a horror movie but a movie about forgiveness , understanding and most of all - LOVE!

I love this movie very much, so much so that I watched the repeat again the next morning.

I happened upon this little gem as I was channel surfing. An excellent story line with some commonality with other stories but still unique in its own way. The characters were well done, as were the special effects. Additionally, the special effects weren't the star of the show - the story was. The special effects were used sparingly and effectively, supporting and extending the story line.

The dank, grey ambience of Vancouver in the rainy season (think "Millennium") matched the circumstances of the lead character's life at the time (a failing business and a recently deceased mother) beautifully. Danson's honest portrayal of a troubled man with a newly discovered and troubling "gift" (his clairvoyance) were very, very well done. I have to admit that I never cared much for Danson's breadth of emotion, but this series converted me. Sorry, Ted and thanks, Ted!

Well done! A coup for all!

James Van Praagh (Ted Danson) is a weird man who sees and communicates with dead people since he was a child. After the death of his mother Regina Van Praagh (Diane Ladd), he resolves the murder of an old man, and Detective Karen Condrin (Mary Steenburgen) gets close to him. He starts investigating what happened to a dead boy, who insists to try to communicate with him. Later, James and Karen realize that many boys have been murdered and buried in an isolated forest for seven years. There are a few suspects and many mystery to be resolved. This thriller is excellent, having a very tight screenplay. The characters are well-developed, the cast has excellent names, including Queen Latifah and Jack Palance and the direction is good. The plot has drama, thriller, crime and suspense and hooks the attention of the viewer until the last scene. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): `Falando Com os Mortos' (`Talking With the Dead')