Domestic Disturbance (2001)

A by the numbers thriller that's way to short

Domestic Disturbance is strictly a by the numbers thriller. Director Harold Becker who made the superior Sea Of Love seems to walk through this film. John Travolta does give a good performance though and Vince Vaughn does ok as the bad guy but I wish he would have been more meancing. After seeing Vaughn in comedy's of late he's pigeonholed in my mind as a comedic actor not a hard a$$. April 1, 2008

The police can be sloppy at times

A simple film, a thriller indeed. It works because the simple violence and menace is wrapped up in a complex and yet simple story about a divorced mother, the custody of a child, the remarrying of the mother and the brilliant newcomer who was accepted at once without any inquiry about who he was in this small community. The conflict between the father and the stepfather with the son in between seems natural and it even makes the police be sloppy about what it is supposed to do. There is of course no real suspense since we know who the criminal is and what the end is going to be. The punch line is directed at the police. The chief of police of this small community is just sorry though he voluntarily neglected simple facts and evidence. Amazing how in our modern societies you just need to say you are sorry to be excused even of your worst negligence and incompetence. That's the new version of the Peter's Principle. When you have reached your level of incompetence just say you're sorry and everything will be just okay and go smooth and you will not be considered as responsible for the few dead people along the road. Who cares about them as long as the social order is not disturbed or menaced.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University Paris Dauphine, University Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne & University Versailles Saint Quentin en Yvelines
December 10, 2007

Disturbed!

Although Vince Vaughn is surprisingly believeable as a bad guy, Domestic Disturbance is still a bit predictable. I'm not saying that it's not watchable, I'm just saying you can probably guess the direction of the scenes; thus, my conservative rating. August 9, 2007

it wasn't terrible, just formulaic

There's nothing that pisses me off more in a movie than when someone fails to put up an adequate argument on their behalf when they're being accused of something.

It's like they either have the character act like a total maniac by flying off the handle when denying what they're being accused of (so obviously the other party will of course not believe them now), or they say the completely wrong things and understate their case, and it is extremely frustrating to watch because you're just sitting there screaming, "WHY DON'T YOU JUST SAY THIS!!"

When that kid was in the interrogation room, his best method of convincing people that a murder took place was by weakly repeating: "look, I know what I saw OK.." Yeah that's gonna convince people. I don't care if you're 12, that's not the way you argue with people, and it's unrealistic.

The other thing that was silly was how the kid and the mother was STILL in the car by the time the father called her cell phone. They should've been gone by then, there was no logical reason why they would've still been in that garage, other than the fact the movie called for them to be there so the stepfather could catch them.

Come on be intelligent when you write, justify your damn script. August 5, 2007

"Domestic Disturbance" is entertaining with its high-tension suspense and great action

"Domestic Disturbance" is a thriller about a divorced couple and their child. Frank (John Travolta) has to deal with a man marrying his ex-wife Susan. The guy (Vince Vaughn) is well liked by the community, but there are hints of something being amiss with him. Frank's son claims he witnesses his mother's new husband Rick commit murder. The more Frank investigates Rick, the more suspicious he looks. The investigation spurs a game of cat and mouse.

There is great interaction between Travolta as a concerned parent and Vaughn the cold heartless type. The tension between them breeds suspense. The would-be new father uses his craftiness to manipulate those around him. There are few things he wouldn't do to get his way.

"Domestic Disturbance" is entertaining with its high-tension suspense and great action. I highly recommend it for those who enjoy a thriller that will keep you guessing to the last minutes.
March 16, 2007

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