Still of the Night (1982)

Fresh from his huge success with the beloved Kramer vs. Kramer, writer-director Robert Benton chose to make a 180-degree turn with this frosty thriller. Roy Scheider plays a Manhattan psychologist, Sam Rice, who is dragged into a murder investigation when one of his patients is killed. The prime suspect is played by Meryl Streep, then at the height of her stardom (the film was released within a week of Streep's triumphant Sophie's Choice in 1982). Rice understandably lets his basic instincts take over and falls for this brisk, blond mystery woman, though he can't help wondering whether she will kiss him or kill him. The movie may be chilly, but it's well executed, with all-cool style and Hitchcockian angles. Benton gets good work from an expert supporting cast, including Jessica Tandy as Rice's mother, who's also a shrink. --Robert Horton Amazon.com essential video

Very Atmospheric Thriller

This is a good thriller with lots of creepy touches. Roy Scheider is a recently divorced Manhattan psychiatrist. One of his patients is murdered and both the police and the victim's beautiful girlfriend (Meryl Streep) who seems to be the top suspect contact him. There is an immediate romantic attraction between Scheider and Streep and Scheider attempts to solve the murder using information the deceased man revealed to him during his twice weekly appointments. The most important info is a disturbing dream which is reenacted on screen in a memorable and truly chilling manner.

The deceased and Streep's character worked together at "Christen's" auction house specializing in antiquities and much of the film is set in this affluent world of high end art. Manhattan at night is used to good effect throughout the film and a fine soundtrack also enhances the atmosphere. Meryl Streep is especially good and needed to learn no new dialect or alter her own lovely appearance for this part. The ending is more than a little contrived and pretty improbable but the movie is very worth watching for any lovers of Streep or thrillers influenced by Alfred Hitchcock.
October 21, 2007

Full of Contrivances

Meryl Streep never fails to impress--she's a great actress--however, in this movie her great talent is truly wasted. The story, as it plays out, is full of plot holes, unbelievables, cheap gimmiks, and false suspense which even some good directing by Robert Benton couldn't save. I felt that the characters were like pawns being being manipulated by the author to fulfill the goal of his plot rather than true people acting according to their behavioral traits. July 30, 2007

An Excellent Mystery

One of the best hommages to Alfred Hitchcock around, but it also stands on its own as a super mystery. The cast is great. The entire production is elegant, smooth and quietly dream-like. Warner Bros. owns the MGM catalog and I wish they'd release a DVD already. January 14, 2007

The Hitchcock Touch

This is a terrific little suspense thriller that's just waiting for rediscovery on DVD. Director Robert Benton, fresh from his triumph with KRAMER VS. KRAMER, turned his attention to that most popular pastime of modern directors--paying homage to the giants of the past. He directed this 1982 film as his tribute to Alfred Hitchcock.

STILL OF THE NIGHT has all the classic elements of Hitchcock--the murder investigation, the innocent bystander (Roy Scheider) who must solve the puzzle to clear his own name (and save his own life), the icy blond beauty (Meryl Streep) who may or may not be the killer, the creepy Long Island mansion where the clifftop climax takes place. Most of all, we have several examples of Hitch's most distinctive contribution to cinema--the suspense sequence that builds slowly to a payoff. The symbolic dream, the adventure in the creepy basement laundry room, the eerie midnight excursion into Central Park, the long section at the swanky auction house with the hero desperately trying to deflect the authorities who are closing in--these are pure Hitchcock, and Benton is better than most at making these classic ideas seem fresh and immediate.

What strikes me most strongly about SOTN is the loving care and dedication of everyone involved in the project, not just the direction and writing (Benton and David Newman) but the cinematography (Nestor Almendros), music (Broadway composer John Kander), and even the costumes (Albert Wolsky). And that cast can't be beat, from the glamorous stars right down to the extras. If you love Hitch as much as I do, give this film a look. And Fox Home Video really, really should put it on DVD (they own the MGM/UA library now, and the rights to this movie). Join me in letting Fox know that. January 8, 2007

Intelligent, mesmerizing mystery

I saw this several years ago and noticed it was on a late movie recently. This time I was more struck by the quality of the work than the first time. It seems that almost every aspect of this film reeks with elegance and subtlety. First of all, Meryl Streep is great. This is before she became so affecting as she was wont to do in her later films. Then Roy Schneider as the psychiatrist turns in a brilliant understated performance. The villianess was incredible in her chameleon-like personality and actions. (The scene at her apartment where the camera slowly slides to reveal the mutilated detective will stay with you for a long time.)

But it is the growing relationship between Streep and Schneider that gives substance to the film. Especially endearing was the dinner at his mom's (also a psychiatrist who keeps needling him about his singlenes). But it is the eerie mansion where the story unfolds and comes to a blockbuster conclusion. There are no monsters, aliens or hauntings but few cinematic scenes have been more terrifying.

I can't conclude without praise for the magnificent score. It was brooding, melancholy and seemed to flow out of the action. This should be reissued on a DVD but so far has not made it. February 17, 2004

More reviews at Amazon.com ...