Still of the Night (1982)

Director:

Robert Benton

Writers:

Robert Benton (screenplay)
Robert Benton (story)

Release Date:

19 November 1982 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

If looks could kill...

Plot:

A Manhattan psychiatrist probes a patient's murder and falls for the victim's mysterious mistress. |

Plot Keywords:

Psychiatrist | Murder | Dream | Neo Noir | Long Island

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Roy Scheider	...	Doctor Sam Rice
Meryl Streep	...	Brooke Reynolds
Jessica Tandy	...	Grace Rice
Joe Grifasi	...	Joseph Vitucci
Sara Botsford	...	Gail Phillips
Josef Sommer	...	George Bynum
Frederikke Borge	...	Heather Wilson (as Rikke Borge)
Irving Metzman	...	Murray Gordon
Larry Joshua	...	Mugger
Tom Norton	...	Auctioneer
Richmond Hoxie	...	Mr. Harris
Hyon Cho	...	Mr. Chang
Danielle Cusson	...	Girl
John Eric Bentley	...	Night Watchman (as John Bentley)
George A. Tooks	...	Elevator Operator

Also Known As:

Stab (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Germany:16 | Sweden:15 | Argentina:18 | Chile:18 | Finland:K-16 | France:-12 | USA:PG | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Boathouse Cafe, Central Park, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

United Artists

Trivia:

The working title in post-production was "Stab".

Quotes:

Doctor Sam Rice: Now listen to me! On account of you, I'm an accessory to something. I don't know what! I'm withholding evidence. I'm obstructing justice. I'm gonna get my license revoked if I'm not thrown into jail first. And on top of that, I've just spent fifteen thousand dollars for a painting I don't even like!

Movie Connections:

References Marnie (1964)

Underrated

This film has received quite a few negative posts. I also read Leonard Maltin's review, in which he said that it was full of holes and was a weak Hitchcock homage. I really think people are all wrong about this one; it's full of some very good old-fashioned suspense, and I love all of the Hitch touches many here have already noted. As well, it must be recalled that Hitch dealt in many implausibilities in his films. He hated those who constantly pointed out that "that could never happen in real life." It's not real life, it's a movie! That's one of the ways I thought this film succeeded, was in reflecting (or even gently parodying) Hitch's use of things that would never happen in real life. Loved the chemistry between Meryl and Roy, not to mention the lovely mentor/parent shrink/shrink relationship between Roy and Jessica. Nice work from Robert Benton. I love this film. --Matthew Hays