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Robin Williams, Toni Collette, Bobby Cannavale, Joe Morton, Sandra Oh ... see more see more... , Rory Culkin , John Cullum , Becky Ann Baker , Lisa Emery , Maryann Plunkett

A man whose life has been touched by tragic illness is drawn into the life of another victim whose story has an unsettling twist in this drama. Gabriel Noone (Robin Williams) is a radio talk show host... read more read more... who has developed a loyal following for his deeply personal on-air monologues, many of which deal with his relationship with his companion Jess (Bobby Cannavale), who is HIV-positive and struggling with his health. When Jess' condition improves, he surprises Gabriel by announcing he needs his space and has decided to break up with him. Gabriel is shaken and feels creatively blocked until Ashe (Joe Morton), a friend in the publishing business, gives him an advance copy of a memoir by Pete Logand (Rory Culkin), a 14-year-old boy living with AIDS. Pete's book is a harrowing memoir of a childhood fraught with abuse of all sorts meted out at the hands of his parents, and Gabriel is deeply moved by his story. One night, Gabriel gets a phone call from Pete, who claims to be a big fan of his radio show, but the call is cut off by Donna (Toni Collette), Pete's stern and protective stepmother. While Gabriel admires Pete's book, he begins to question its veracity, and with the help of Anna (Sandra Oh) tries to research the facts behind the story. As he uncovers more loose ends, Gabriel begins to suspect that Pete isn't the true author of the work, and that Donna has created his terrible past in the name of literary celebrity. The Night Listener was adapted from the novel by Armistead Maupin. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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36% liked it

91,681 ratings

Critics

40% liked it

134 critics

R, 1 hr. 21 min.

Directed by: Patrick Stettner

Release Date: August 4, 2006

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DVD Release Date: January 9, 2007

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Stats: 3,153 reviews

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Director Patrick Stettner - The Night Listener (2006) PARK CITY, UT - 22 Jan 2006 Writer (screenplay) Armistead Maupin - The Night Listener (2006) PARK CITY, UT - 22 Jan 2006 Scenes from The Night Listener Wallpaper (2006) Sandra Oh as Anna, Robin Williams as Gabriel Noone in The Night Listener (2006) Joe Morton plays Ashe - The Night Listener (2006) NEW YORK - 01 Aug 2006 The Night Listener (2006) Miramax Films' Premieres The Night Listener (2006) - NEW YORK - 01 Aug 2006 Robin Williams as Gabriel Noone in The Night Listener (2006) Robin Williams as Gabriel Noone in The Night Listener (2006) Robin Williams as Gabriel Noone in The Night Listener (2006) Robin Williams as Gabriel Noone in The Night Listener (2006) Robin Williams as Gabriel Noone in The Night Listener (2006) Robin Williams as Gabriel Noone in The Night Listener (2006) Robin Williams as Gabriel Noone in The Night Listener (2006) Robin Williams as Gabriel Noone in The Night Listener (2006) the night listener the night listener The Night Listener (2000) book - NEW YORK - 31 Jul 2006
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Flixster Reviews (3,153)

  • imrealgod
    August 6, 2011
    imrealgod
    The concept is good, but there's nothing beyond that here. Direction, acting, screenplay, background score: everything seemed too phony and quite ineffective here. There are too many inconsistencies in the movie and I couldn't help feeling distracted and, at times, bored. If you'... read morere suffering from insomnia, The Night Listener might be of some use to you.
  • Deano78
    April 3, 2011
    Deano78
    Not very good at all. Very slow film with very little happening in it all based around one plot idea. Based on true events, however at 76 mins long there just isn't enough to interest you.
  • LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    June 4, 2010
    LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    "Listen for the truth."

    In the midst of his crumbling relationship, a radio show host begins speaking to his biggest fan, a young boy, via the telephone. But when questions about the boy's identity come up, the host's life is thrown into chaos.

    ... read more="Century Schoolbook">REVIEW
    Written by Armistead Maupin (who co-wrote the screenplay with his former lover Terry Anderson and the film's novice director Stettner) and based on a true story about a fan's hoax found out has some Hitchcockian moments that run on full tilt like any good old fashioned pot-boiler does. It helps that Williams gives a stand-out, low-key performance as the conflicted good-hearted personality who genuinely wants to believe that his number one fan is in fact real and does love him (the one thing that has escaped his own reality) and has some unsettling dreadful moments with the creepy Collette whose one physical trait I will leave unmentioned but underlines the desperation of her character that can rattle you to the core.
  • ScoopOnline
    December 22, 2009
    ScoopOnline
    Hand on my Chest. A Brilliant Piece!
  • RCCLBC
    September 25, 2008
    RCCLBC
    Let me begin by saying that with few exceptions (One Hour Photo) Robin Williams is not a "draw" for me. But while he did seem slightly miscast in this role...he was not horrible. Just not the best choice for the role (in my opinion).

    The story itself is a little slow and not... read more as well executed as it could have been. It almost seemed like a "made for tv" movie at times. But it was inriguing enough to keep my interst and at times was actually even a little creepy.

    Toni Collette seldom disapoints and seems to get better, the more she challenges herself. I hope she continues to get the opportunity to do so.
  • YosemiteSamFan
    June 13, 2008
    YosemiteSamFan
    A lonely and sad movie. I wasn't surprised it was based on true happenings; the events were too disturbed. The cinematography is dark and cold, which suits the story. There are enough answers to the mystery to make it a complete story.
  • Redlats
    April 3, 2008
    Redlats
    I don't know why people would be down on this movie. Its all about the character played by Toni Collette. She has some deep secret in her past, and weaves Robin Williams, who plays a radio talk show host, into her life.
  • jjnxn
    October 6, 2007
    jjnxn
    Dreary and lifeless
  • pier007
    September 25, 2007
    pier007
    Hollow and boring, a slow death.
  • deano
    August 20, 2007
    deano
    So mystery and psychological thriller story of a celebrated author and radio show host embarks on a journey to find the truth about his biggest fan - a 14-year-old boy. Toni Collette as the boy's mother unleashes a performance that's as spooky as it is intriguing, while Robin Wil... read moreliams shows that he can do drama better than many 'serious' actors.

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Critic Reviews

Stephanie Zacharek
October 7, 2006
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

This thriller about books, belief and betrayal covers topical terrain -- JT LeRoy and James Frey, anyone? -- but itself proves unbelievable. Full Review

Michael Phillips
August 9, 2006
Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune

The pacing and staging of the later scenes could use a little more electricity and momentum, and a little less restraint. Yet The Night Listener keeps you watching. And listening. Full Review

Richard Roeper
August 7, 2006
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper

A quietly disturbing and effectively haunting little gem. Full Review

Bill Muller
August 5, 2006
Bill Muller, Arizona Republic

The movie might make for a good book, but it's too awkward and lacks the necessary action for a film. And Williams' rather sluggish approach doesn't help much. Eventually, we just aren't interested in... Full Review

James Berardinelli
August 5, 2006
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

An eerie, occasionally disturbing motion picture focused on the differences between perception and reality. Full Review

Lou Lumenick
August 4, 2006
Lou Lumenick, New York Post

This Sundance dud is a turgid gay soap opera with a limp twist, showcasing Robin Williams at his maudlin worst.

Mick LaSalle
August 4, 2006
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

The Night Listener, a movie with lots of heart but no heartbeat. Full Review

Peter Howell
August 4, 2006
Peter Howell, Toronto Star

There's more to this story than meets the eye -- or ear -- especially when Collette, magnetic in her intensity, appears as a figure straight out of Vertigo or North by Northwest. Full Review

Claudia Puig
August 4, 2006
Claudia Puig, USA Today

The Night Listener reveals itself in a grippingly quiet and enigmatic style reminiscent of Hitchcock. Full Review

Roger Moore
August 4, 2006
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

Night Listener draws you in to a tale well-told. Full Review

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The Night Listener Trivia

  • Who is connected with the following: Emma Little Miss Sunshine The Night Listener About A Boy Sixth Sense  Answer »
  • Is Donna and Pete in the movie Night Listener one the in the same.  Answer »
  • in the night listener who played gabriel noone  Answer »
  • in the movie "night listener" is pete real?  Answer »
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