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Armistead Maupin turns his novel into a scrutiny of a person's degenerating mind & the disturbing ways they toy with reality. A viewer can't be certain where truth stops & delusions begin. Maupin co-wrote the autobiographical screenplay adaptation with Terry Anderson & director Patrick Stettner. It was released August 4th, 2006. It flies by at under 90 mins. short. Gabriel Noone (Robin Williams) is a popular gay writer who reads the "fiction of his life" on a late night talk show in hushed, nearly hypnotic, intonations. Due, in part, to a sense of devastating loss of his lover of 8 years, Jess (Bobby Cannavale), Noone's in a state of writer's block. He nursed Jess for years through a health crisis with AIDS; but, now that Jess is in remission & wants to be free to sow wild oats, Noone feels depressed & discarded. A literary agent Ashe (Joe Morton) gives Noone a book to read written by a 14yo boy, Pete Logand (Rory Culkin). Logand's story details years of being sexually molested & consequently having to live with AIDS in foster care with a social worker, Donna (Toni Collette). Noone finds Logand's story fascinating enough to distract him from his own mid-life crisis. In contrast, the boy's dilemma makes Noone's seem minor. Logand & Donna become Noone's fans as they enter into dialogue via phone. After Noone tells Logand's story to Jess, Jess plants the seed of doubt of potential fraud. Noone begins to wonder if Logand exists. So, he heads for Wisconsin to uncover the truth. He meets Donna & learns some of their secrets, but doesn't get to meet Logand. Based on real events that happened to Armistead Maupin, the brevity of the movie keeps the action moving & plot clear. As usual in this part of my reviews, I shant go any further into the story. I believe "The Night Listener" will be most intriguing to viewers who know Maupin's prior stories & personal history. Terrific acting by Williams, Collette, Cannavale, Culkin & a swell supporting cast make this DVD a very good one to own.Read full review
AAdapted from Armistead Maupin's book, this tale is based on an experience Maupin actually had. Gabriel Noone (Robin Williams) finds his relationship falling apart just as he begins a long distance phone and mail relationship with a young boy who purportedly was abused and is in the last stages of AIDS. Noone's borderline lover (John Cullum) plants the seeds of doubt about whether the boy's tale is true or not which leads Noone on a significant trip to find out the truth. Toni Collette plays the disturbed blind woman who is giving foster care to the young boy and Sandra Oh plays Noone's confidant. Robin Williams is outstanding! .
Toni Colette's character showed how easy it is for mentally ill people to "pull a fast one" on others.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
a very good movie and such a surprise ending!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Robin Williams does a great job - in this based on a true story - of a boy who may or may not excist - he sets out to find the truth - very believable - very well acted - unfortunatly in my opinion there could be more of his love story with the partner he is breaking up with - and a real kiss wouldn't have hurt - because it was Robin Williams i expected him to play that part of his life a little more real - but still over all - great movie
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