Mother Night (1996)

The third movie from director Keith Gordon (The Chocolate War, A Midnight Clear). The 35-year-old director who started as an actor (Christine) has turned into one of the more assured directors working today. His films are ambitious in plot and tone. With Mother Night he works with his first major star, Nick Nolte.

In 1961, the fictitious Howard W. Campbell Jr., an American by birth, shares the same deserted prison with Adolph Eichmann. As he prepares to stand trial for war crimes, the former playwright scribes his memoirs. Now this is the same Howard W. Campbell Jr. who was a notorious voice on German radio during the war, tearing into American policy and spreading Nazi propaganda. Was he a willful participant or an American spy? Campbell, who romanticizes at the drop of a hat, tells his story of indifference, morality, and love. His days of notoriety in Berlin give way to anonymity back in the States. He purrs about his true love (Sheryl Lee) and tells truths with his shrewd neighbor in New York (Alan Arkin).

The movie is based on Kurt Vonnegut's 1961 novel of the same name. Gordon and screenwriter Robert E. Weide have an uncommon insight into Vonnegut's material: the mesh of fact and fiction, the sweeping themes, the tragic goofiness. The movie is perfectly suited to Nolte's gruff style with a husky voice that pierces the night. The film is a cherished companion piece to Slaughterhouse Five. --Doug Thomas Amazon.com

Be Careful

An interesting DVD. The movie was good but the extras were even better. The interview with Vonnegut and Nolte was quite interesting, as was an idea for trailer that was eventually modified before being used. It occurred to me that the original trailer (still admired by the producers) violated the warning of the movie by being something that should not even be pretended at. June 13, 2007

In the end, we are what we pretend to be....

As an avid fan of Kurt Vonnegutt, I have been somewhat disappointed in some of the movie adaptations of his work. This, however, is an exceptional film and very true to the novel. It may be Mr. Nolte's best performance in any role. He is believable, frightening, and pitiable at the same time. A moving and enlightening work that reminds us all that we are what we pretend to be in the end. October 5, 2006

Better with each watching.

The first time I watched this film I liked it. The second time I loved it. The third time I worshipped it. The characters grow on me more each time - I could spend two hours just watching Alan Arkin and Nick Nolte talking about nothing over a bottle of wine.

I'm a Vonneut fan, and this is the only film to capture not just his wit and plot but the wonderful, wonderful characters he creates. April 6, 2006

It Doesn't Suck!

I was skeptical about this movie. Movies based on novels are almost always severely lacking or they mess up the whole theme making it suitable for hollywood. Mother Night is not one of those movies. It follows the book pretty closely and uses the medium of film to take it a step further. I'd still recommend reading the book by Kurt Vonnegut, but this movie won't disappoint. March 11, 2006

Mother Night Novel vs. Film

The adaption of Kurt Vonnegut's Mother Night from novel to film could not have been any better than this. It's likely the best film from a book ever. Highly recommended to Vonnegut fans and fans of the movies. February 24, 2006

More reviews at Amazon.com ...