Gabriel Noone (Robin Williams) is a radio show host who develops a bond with an abused young writer (Rory Culkin) who may or may not be real. Inspired by a true story.

The Night Listener is an intriguing tale based on a real-life story experienced firsthand by its writer, Armistead Maupin, who naturally inspired Gabriel Noone. Oscar-winner Robin Williams gives a subtly disturbing performance as Noone, the radio show host who we trust, yet question his obsessive methods. Williams has come a long way from his comedic turns in Mrs. Doubtfire and The Birdcage, and has just about mastered obsessive characters—think One Hour Photo and Insomnia.

Toni Collete, on the other hand, gives a unconvincing caricature performance as Donna Logand, who may or may not be blind and posing as her adopted son, Pete (Rory Culkin, brother to Michael Jackson’s BFF, Macaulay).

The Night Listener, which ran for 92 minutes at the Sundance Film Festival in 2006, has been trimmed to a mere 82 minutes. While it has a breezy pace, it is too short for a thriller of this type, and would seem fitted to be a TV-movie at times. The film moves too quickly, so as soon as events occur, we’re not sure exactly what hit us. However, said events do give off a rather creepy atmosphere.

The viewer can’t help but wonder what has been left on the cutting room floor. Perhaps a little something that could have provided more depth to its characters? The AIDs subplot is shamefully ignored, with only a few dashes of the topic spread throughout, like the filmmakers know it’s important so they feel they have to include it.

So while the film has its issues with character development, and sheer ignorance to important topics, it’s still a deeply engrossing, atmospheric film with a great story. The Night Listener is a suiting homage to the Hitchcock classics that doesn’t go for cheap scares, but rather examines the philosophical behavior of its characters.

Video: 1.85:1 Widescreen, enhanced for 16x9 sets. Very nice transfer.

Audio: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), so the great score is emphasized. Subtitles in Spanish and French.

Unfortunately, not much.

"The Night Listener Revealed" (11:40) is a so-called "In-depth look at the movie's plot twists", but is more of a standard making of. But what makes this short worth it is writer Armistead Maupin, whose personal stories are as chilling as the film itself.

There's also a Deleted Scene that, if included in the original film, would waste a good surprise.

The Night Listener seems to be going widely ignored. Sure there are flaws, but it's actually one of the more impressive thrillers as of late. Though light on extras, the film alone is worth the rental.