Taglines: He will do anything to protect his family.
Susan Morrison is getting married to wealthy industrialist Rick Barnes. Danny, her teenage son with ex-husband Frank, isn’t happy about this; he stows away in Rick’s car one night, planning to go to Frank’s house. But while there, he witnesses Rick murdering mysterious stranger Ray Coleman. Problem is, Rick’s managed to dispose of most of the evidence, and he’s considered a pillar of the community, while Danny has a history of lying. Frank believes him, though, and does some investigating of his own, as Rick’s shady past slowly catches up to him and his new family.
Domestic Disturbance is a 2001 American psychological thriller film directed by Harold Becker (his last film to date) and starring John Travolta, Vince Vaughn, Teri Polo, Matthew O Leary, Steve Buscemi, Chris Ellis, Nick Loren, James Lashly, Rebecca Tilney and Debra Mooney.
Paramount Pictures held the world premiere of Domestic Disturbance at the studio on October 30, 2001. The film’s stars were in attendance as well as many other guest celebrities. The film was then officially released on November 2, 2001 in 2,910 theaters throughout the United States. It did not prove to be a financial success, grossing only $45,246,095 domestically. By the end of its run, the film was only able to gross $54 million worldwide from its $75 million budget.
About the Story
Susan Morrison (Teri Polo), recently divorced from her husband Frank (John Travolta) who is a struggling ship builder, is getting married to a younger and wealthier Rick Barnes (Vince Vaughn). Danny (Matt O’Leary), Susan and Frank’s twelve-year-old son, is clearly unhappy that his mother is remarrying. Susan asks Frank to allow Rick to go sailing with him and Danny, to help Danny bond with and accept Rick as a stepfather.
After the wedding and a brief improvement in Danny’s and Rick’s relationship, Danny dislikes Rick once again. During a game of catch between the two, Rick clearly becomes agitated with Danny’s ambivalent playing style and starts criticizing him harshly. The revelation that Susan and Rick are having a baby worsens the situation.
After finding out about the baby, Danny stows away in Rick’s Chevy Suburban, planning to drop off it en route and visit his father. But while Danny is inside, he sees Rick murdering mysterious stranger Ray Coleman (Steve Buscemi), who earlier attended the wedding unannounced, claiming to be an ex-business associate of Rick.
Danny reports the murder to his father and to the local police. Rick, however, has managed to dispose of most of the evidence, and is widely considered a pillar of the local community as he invested his money in the area, whereas Danny has a history of lying and misdemeanors. Frank believes his son though, stemming from Rick’s notable unease around Coleman at the ceremony and the fact that Danny never lies to him.
Frank does some investigating of his own and unearths Rick’s criminal past, which now stands to put his son and ex-wife in risk. Frank learns that Rick’s real name is Jack Parnell and that he is a criminal who was acquitted while his partners, which included Coleman, were convicted. Jack tries to kill Frank by setting his boathouse on fire, but Frank manages to escape.
Domestic Disturbance (2001)
Directed by: Harold Becker
Starring: John Travolta, Vince Vaughn, Teri Polo, Matthew O Leary, Steve Buscemi, Chris Ellis, Nick Loren, James Lashly, Rebecca Tilney, Debra Mooney
Screenplay by: Lewis Colick, William S. Comanor, Gary Drucker
Production Design by: Clay A. Griffith
Cinematography by: Clay A. Griffith
Film Editing by: Peter Honess
Costume Design by: Bobbie Read
Set Decoration by: Robert Greenfield
Art Direction by: Barry Chusid
Music by: Mark Mancina
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for violence, brief sexuality and language.
Distributed by: Paramount Pictures
Release Date: November 2, 2001
Visits: 176
