Eavesdropper (2005)

Fifteen deaf patients take part in an experimental clinical trail aimed at hearing restoration and within days fourteen of the fifteen participants in the trial become violently psychotic ultimately taking their own lives to stop the violent side effects brought on by the treatment. Patient #14 - Liza Raines - is the sole survivor of the experiment; however the ordeal permanently alters her hearing resulting in Liza s new super-human ability to hear frequencies emitted by the brain when it thinks. When her life is suddenly thrown into jeopardy Liza is forced to use her new ability against those set on covering up the fact that she ever existed.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: ACTION/ADVENTURE/THRILLERS Rating: R UPC: 602498844267 Manufacturer No: FM4426DVD Product Description

A sleeper movie that I really liked

I bought this movie used, for under a buck and did I ever get my money's worth. The story was very original and entertaining. It made me want to research the incident that it is suposed to have been based on. This movie would have been a block buster if it would have had Julia Roberts or Nicole Kidman playing the part of patient 14. The comentary on the DVD mentioned that it was developed to be a pilot for a TV series and I certinly would be interested in seeing stories developed using Liza's talents. September 3, 2007

Original movie just keep in mind a few facts

This movie is aimed at fans of real life stories because it claims to be based real events. You won't find it much science fiction like in James Bond or Lara Croft movies but its central event is a good match to such movies: secret experiments that turn deaf people into mind-readers but they all go berserk and commit suicide, except one, Liza Reiner or the patient 14. I don't think any of the cast members are very famous, I didn't recognize any of them.

Right here, the first review mentions that the movie's web site says that the director is missing. This all looks creepy and quite interesting, so I just bother to speed the movie's end up to see a typical commentary that states what the movie is based on. In case you've never noticed such legend, it comes after mentioning the staff who made the movie, credits, filming places, and more. The statement is virtually at the very end of data displaying. I've always seen it in fiction movies making clear the movie is not real and any similarity with real life events is only coincidence. I guess they show it in order to avoid law suits and this movie does have that statement. I also guess the movie makers think that they can say whatever they want in their movies and it's up to people to pay attention to little details, like the typical small letters one finds in some contracts in life.

The movie making industry has been criticized by many Conservatives for being biased by siding too much with Liberal views. This movie is an open example and it actually hurts more than helping the Liberal causes by lying. The bad guys here are military staff, and at least one time the top bad (Aiden Porter) guy makes clear the Liberals are the menace when he asks Liza to spy on a Liberal judge to be appointed for the Supreme Court or something very high. I have seen other movies like this where they scare people without providing proper reasons; my favorite example is "The 7th day" I think, one of the last Arnold Shageswhatever's movies, which shows genetic engineering feeds the starving masses and saves endangered species (what is going to happen) but it must be stopped because the owners can be evil. If this is so, there should not human civilization in first place since everything out of human civilizations has had serous consequences, we'd better return to our old caves (although I see more consequences on that path).

Regarding the movie's story, it did not make much sense to me very often. In one scene, the typical waco scientist (Dr. Kramer I think) has his tongue cut off without anesthesia by Porter's men; however they let him go. Later on Dr. Kramer, with his mouth still bleeding, reaches Liza's to give her confidential documents.

Nevertheless, if you like movies like "Constant Garner" you may still like this movie. For example, Liza usually doesn't know well what's going on around her. Eventually, her survival is more about good luck than anything else. As for me, despite my critics I still enjoyed the movie because it reminded me of my childhood movies and cartoons where characters would get super powers out of secrets and accidental experiments -the sort of Spider-man or the X-Men which are still very popular- and the story sequence was still entertaining since it involved a lot of intrigue. Besides, the claim that it was all real (supported by the lack of any other high tech stuff, but traded by intrigue) made the movie more appealing. Just keep in mind it's all fake. May 15, 2006

Fascinating

This seemed like science fiction but was based on real events. I was mesmerized by the fact that hearing could be so acute as to hear the electric activity of brain cells. The idea that this was real and not a made up story, made it more exciting to me. I can understand why the goverment wanted to use this person to fight against terrorism or in interviews with serial killers, as they said the enemy would never know that their thoughts were heard. This is still almost unbelievable that this could happen. As the saying goes truth is stranger than fiction. I have recomended this DVD to several people. I loved this movie. March 25, 2006

I hear you

In an attempt to correct her (Costas Mandylor) hearing after a she became deaf from the sound of gunshots, the experiment went too well. Now she is of value to some people and a threat to others. How is she going to get out of this pickle?

A well executed formula movie. At one time we were innovated by movies where a secret formula, or radiation, or LSD experiments create a superset of senses. And of course the experiment hast to be covered up. The main experimentee is usually more moral than the experimenter. Others, usually the government, want to use the abilities for their own nefarious purposes.

So the story is not unique however the acting and details are exceptionally good. You can tell that this is a pilot and it makes you wonder who will survive to make the program.

For sci-fi lovers you may recognize George Takei (Sulu on Star Trek), and John de Lancie (Q on Star Trek: Voyager), together again.

The only thing missing would be the mystique of a missing film maker. Shads of Aimee Semple McPherson.
February 17, 2006

Really Good Movie

Eavesdropper is an absolutely fascinating movie. The film's DVD box claims that the movie is based on "shocking true events." Knowing this information makes the film appealing. However after digging under the surface a little its not clear exactly what is true and what isn't. The films website claims the films director Andrew Bakalar was kidnapped upon completing the film. It seems like the whole based on a true story and the film maker missing claim was created to bolster interest in the film. However, this hoopla, whether true or false was not needed. Eavesdropper is the story of a woman who survived a horrible robbery that left her husband dead and her deaf. The incident leaves her broken down mentally and financially and she finds herself living in a shelter. At the shelter she decides to participate in an experiment to re-store her hearing. She knows it's a government experiment with unproven results but she is desperate to restore her hearing. Her hearing returns immediately after the surgery. Soon after that she starts hearing voices in her head. The voices she is hearing are not her own. She is hearing other peoples thoughts-the good, the bad and the things people don't want you to hear. The other patients who were a part of the experiment are dying or driven to suicide. When she tries to escape the program her life is endangered.

Eavesdropper is an interested film compromised mostly of a C list cast, but its definitely worth checking out.
February 8, 2006

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