Amazon.com essential video: 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
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - 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.
Rating: - 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.
Rating: - 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.
Rating: - 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 ... Read More
Rating: - 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 ... Read More
- 
- 
- 