Silent Fall

R

Released Oct 28, 1994

1h 41m

Mystery & Thriller

List

26%

19 Reviews

Tomatometer

38%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Having seen the murder of his parents, autistic youth Tim Warden (Ben Faulkner) is sent to therapy with Dr. Jake Rainer (Richard Dreyfuss). Jake tries to talk with the silent child about what he saw, but he gets more details about the Wardens' household dynamics from Tim's teenage sister, Sylvie (Liv Tyler). As he spends more time with the siblings, Jake learns that the Wardens' marriage was not as perfect as it seemed, and he uncovers other new details that might help solve the crime.

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Audience Member

A unique type of murder mystery with non-traditional clues. Very good acting maintains the pacing, and good character development gets you interested in the characters. Not much of a thriller aspect, but then again it was not needed. Good movie.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This movie is one that I have watched over and over again. A gripping storyline and thrilling drama, it entertains every time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

william s

Hard to watch rather blase type movie.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

dave j

Tuesday, June 18, 2013 (1994) Silent Fall PSYCHOLOGICAL MYSTERY Parents are found dead with the only survivors found are their two kids who are the older teenage daughter Sylvie played by Liv Tyler and her 7 or 8 year old autistic son Tim(Ben Faulkner). Here comes criminal psychologist Dr. Jake Rainer (Richard Dreyfuss) who has a PHd in dealing with mentally challenged children and is supposed to be retired but one his best friends Sheriff Mitch Rivers ( J.T. Walsh ) encourages his social skills to help him solve it by helping Tim to recall the events that lead up to their parents death since he may have been a witness for the whole ordeal. And because he's like 100% autistic, Dr. Jake is the only person who can expose this by reasonable means instead of using drugs and other experimental tactics used by his radical associate Dr. Rene Harlinger played by John Lithgow. I was totally sucked up to this movie because their isn't many films that focuses on "autistic" children to solve a case for I think this film is the first. The procedures for which this film has showed is at times quite enlightening since we the viewers may have suspect who had done it but at the same time don't quite know how it's done until the very end. The movie also stars Linda Hamilton as Karen Rainer as Jake's wife. 3 out of 4 stars

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

An interesting mystery Drama about an autistic little boy who is the only Witness to the murder of his parents. The boy rarely speaks at all and when he does, he mimics the voice of another person. Its kinda weird and predictable but the movie is interesting enough to make you wanna watch it play out. Liv Tyler is really good in this aswell.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Even if a bit predictable, the movie had some levels of suspense and intrigue attached to it. It was a good movie, not bad, great or excellent, but good.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

Full Review

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Bruce Beresford

Director

Richard Dreyfuss

Dr. Jake Rainer

Linda Hamilton

Karen Rainer

John Lithgow

Dr. Rene Harlinger

J.T. Walsh

Sheriff Mitch Rivers

Ben Faulkner

Tim Warden

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Sheila Johnston

Independent (UK)

As a thriller, it's a dead loss, mainly due to a dearth of suspects - this film must have had the lowest extras budget of last year.

Mar 29, 2019

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

Variety

Poorly scripted by Akiva Goldsman, this murder mystery (helmed by Bruce Beresford) represents an awkward synthesis of autism and family abuse as social problems, failing to deliver suspense or excitement on any level.

Rated: C-

Feb 1, 2007

Full Review

Time Out

Beresford draws the best from a fine cast. Only when he tries to up the thrill quotient near the end are the contrivances of Akiva Goldsman's debut script revealed, like cracks in the smooth surface of a frozen lake.

Jun 24, 2006

Full Review

Mal Vincent

The Virginian-Pilot

As long as it sticks to relationships, Silent Fall is above average. It's only when it tries to become a standard murder mystery that it becomes ordinary.

Rated: 2.5/4

Mar 10, 2022

Full Review

Caffeinated Clint

Moviehole

A tense and terrific thriller. Tyler is a standout.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 17, 2008

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Aug 21, 2005

Full Review

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Synopsis

Having seen the murder of his parents, autistic youth Tim Warden (Ben Faulkner) is sent to therapy with Dr. Jake Rainer (Richard Dreyfuss). Jake tries to talk with the silent child about what he saw, but he gets more details about the Wardens' household dynamics from Tim's teenage sister, Sylvie (Liv Tyler). As he spends more time with the siblings, Jake learns that the Wardens' marriage was not as perfect as it seemed, and he uncovers other new details that might help solve the crime.

Director: Bruce Beresford
Producer: Gary Barber
Screenwriter: Akiva Goldsman
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Kouf/Bigelow Productions, Morgan Creek Entertainment
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 28, 1994, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 12, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.7M
Runtime: 1h 41m
Sound Mix: Surround

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