John Travolta in "Domestic Disturbance."

MOVIE INFORMATION

With 10 as a must-see, Jack gives this film a: Stars: John Travolta and Vince Vaughn Director: Harold Becker Rated: PG-13, with violence and profanity Length: 88 minutes

ROCHESTERCRITIQUE

Having seen this film, how would you rate it? 10 5 9 4 8 3 7 2 6 1

By Jack Garner
Democrat and Chronicle

(November 2, 2001) -- "The boy who cried wolf" is at the core of Domestic Disturbance, an under-achieving new thriller with John Travolta and Vince Vaughn.

They play dueling dads in this modest suspense saga about Danny (Matt O'Leary), a boy embittered by his mom's second marriage.

Travolta is Frank Morrison, the father divorced from Danny's mom, Susan (Teri Polo). The ex-couple live in the same Maryland seaside community and share custody of the 12-year-old.

The trouble starts when Susan marries Rick Barnes (Vince Vaughn), a wealthy businessman whose philanthropy has endeared him to the community since he arrived on the scene only a few years ago.

The divorce and his mother's courtship had already turned the normally good kid into a troublesome, moody youngster, given to mischief and lying.

Frank, Susan and Rick all try to calm and reassure the boy, but his contrary attitude continues. It reaches a peak when he tells the police he witnessed Rick actually murder somebody and dispose of the body.

The cops and the parents all assume Danny has simply elevated his lying. Frank, though, begins to have suspicions. Could his son and his ex-wife actually be living in a home with a ruthless killer? (Okay, if they aren't, there isn't much purpose to this movie, is there?)

The Domestic Disturbance set-up is fine, but the script by Lewis Colick doesn't provide enough information about Rick's background or how his transformation occurred.

And Vaughn doesn't help much with his portrayal. He gets the slimy, ominous stuff right, but I didn't see enough of the mister nice guy side that would cause a town -- and Susan -- to love him. It always seems obvious he's working a con.

Travolta is fine, though Frank isn't among the actor's more demanding roles. More impressive is young Matt O'Leary as the distraught and victimized Danny. His character takes the more substantial emotional journey.

Best of all, though, is the always-reliable Steve Buscemi as Ray, a slimy friend who drops in from Rick's shady past.

Harold Becker's direction is taut and workmanlike. However, the staging of the final confrontation seems rushed and a bit underwhelming.

The result is an adequate diversion for suspense fans, but nothing particularly memorable.