Director: Harold Becker
Writer: Lewis Colick (Screenplay) Lewis Colick, William S Comanor, Gary Drucker (Story)
Starring: John Travolta, Matt O’Leary, Teri Polo, Vince Vaughn, Steve Buscemi
Plot: A divorced father Frank Morrison (Travolta) discovers that his ex-wife Susan (Polo) new husband Rick Barnes (Vaughn) is not who he claims to be. To protect his son Danny (O’Leary) Frank must uncover the truth before it is too late.
Verdict: Thriller close to home
Story: On paper this sounds like another version of ‘The Stepfather’ and in a way it is. Instead of just being the child’s struggle against the evil stepfather we also see the father’s struggle to prove who he really is. The build-up also includes the idea the child is a well-known liar when things don’t go his way. All this comes together to make a good story but one that really will be on that doesn’t stick in the memory. (7/10)
Actor Review: John Travolta – Frank Danny’s father who wants to just stand back at let his ex-wife move on but after Danny witness something he can’t rest until he knows the truth. Solid performance from Travolta which is the best of the lot. (8/10)
Actor Review: Vince Vaughn – Rick the new stepfather with a secret he is trying to keep safe but once it gets exposed he tries everything in his power to keep it quiet. Vince had a tendency to play villainous roles before he became the wise cracking funny man he is now and this shows he can pull it off. (8/10)
Actor Review: Matt O’Leary – Danny the young boy who is the center of all the trouble in the film, lies to stop something happening he doesn’t like and never really dealt with his parents’ divorce. Good performance from the young star showing he can stand toe to toe with bigger name actors. (8/10)
Actor Review: Teri Polo – Susan Danny’s mother who remarries but fails to see through him until it is too late. Good performance as the character would have to fall for all of Rick’s charm. (7/10)
Director Review: Harold Becker – Good direction but the final fight is a bit too dark to be effective. (7/10)
Crime: Watching how reluctant the cops are to help the situation shows how poor they are to the crime story. (6/10)
Thriller: It feels very edge of seat from the moment we learn about Rick’s past but never pulls in all it could. (8/10)
Believability: It would be scary as it could be real but not as far as it is. (3/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Settings: The settings used as good but don’t add enough to the story. (8/10)
Suggestion: it is a short thriller so it could be enjoyed by most as it wouldn’t take up much of your time. It is easy enough to watch too. (Try It)
Best Part: The end is good.
Worst Part: The cops.
Trivia: Vince Vaughn, Steve Buscemi were involved in a bar brawl during the filming.
Oscar Chances: No
Chances of Sequel: No
Similar Too: The Stepfather
Overall: Thriller that will hit hard at home
Rating 
Harold Becker
