Night Visitors (1996 TV Movie) User Reviews

Absorbing, Gently Paced Thriller

[Enrique-Sanchez-56 · 7 November 2004]

I must have been in the mood for this kind of thriller today because I really enjoyed it. The gentle pace and slow unraveling of the plot was pleasant to watch from it's sensitive beginning to the nail-biting ending.

There are other reasons why I liked this movie. It didn't pull at my heartstrings, it didn't have any phony-looking CGI work in it to spoil the feeling of reality, the cast was not out to make a name for themselves in some manner and neither was the direction because it didn't have excessive FOLEY effects that normally destroy a film for me, and I really cared about the characters, especially the natural-acting boy who grieved without any melodrama.

If you want big stars with lots of noise, don't watch this. BUT KNOW - that there are other types of movies that one can enjoy from time to time that do not CONFORM to your preconceptions about what thrillers are or can be.

Boring lengthy tedious film

[guilfisher-1 · 1/10 · 18 May 2006]

This 1996 TV film was directed by Jorge Montesi and screenplay by D. Brent Mote. It went nowhere. The actual focus when you finally get to it, looked like an ET reject. Rubber at that. There wasn't one salvation in this dull drama. I like Thomas Gibson and have enjoyed him in other flicks, but this one he was totally wasted. In fact I felt sorry for him that he had to go through the paces of a silly Sci-Fi flick. He tried to bring some believability to his role as best he could with some silly lines. Playing opposite him was a very silly leading lady who went around telling everyone off. I didn't buy this actress and think the reviews about her looks were somewhat overstated. Faith Ford is the actress and believe me, you're not missing much. That she could get away with what she did, anywhere else she would have been caught and done away with. And the kid in this was annoying. I did like the villain, not sure of his name. He was nasty enough to make you want him to shoot Ford down. But she survived. Glad that Gibson did. I give it a one count for Gibson's presence. See him in LOVE AND HUMAN REMAINS. More to do and better with it.

Entertaining sci-fi thriller

[Woodyanders · 8/10 · 22 July 2010]

Disillusioned scientist Davd Wells (a brief, but solid turn by Todd Allen) steals top secret evidence of alien existence from a government lab. After David gets killed his spunky reporter sister Kelly (a winningly spunky performance by the lovely Faith Ford) gains possession of said evidence. Of course, several nefarious agents go after her. Director Jorge Mortesi, working from an absorbing script by D. Brent Mote, relates the compelling story at a steady pace, does an able job of creating and sustaining a suitably enigmatic and paranoid atmosphere, and stages the occasional thrilling action scenes with real aplomb (a heated car chase rates the definite exciting highlight). Moreover, the fantastic premise is firmly set in a totally plausible pedestrian reality. The sound acting from the capable cast qualifies as another substantial asset: Ford makes for a fetching and appealing heroine, Stephen Tobolowsky essays the role of the ruthless Colonel Taylor with perfectly sinister élan, Charles S. Dutton brings an engaging blend of warmth and humor to his regrettably minor part as kindly pathologist Dr. Eldon Jones, plus there are praiseworthy contributions by Thomas Gibson as Kelly's deceitful boyfriend Ross Williams, Eric McCormack as the helpful Andy Robison, Christopher Gary as David's son Peter, and Roman Podhora as the no-nonsense Captain Roselli. Both Philip Linzey's polished cinematography and Irwin Fisch's moody, lively, ominous score are up to speed. A fun flick.

Faith Ford is a Doll....

[mrsongbird · 3 March 2002]

.....and she has Great Legs!!! She's the only good thing this film has going for it. It's a movie to watch with the sound off as the plot is contrived and worth of ridicule. Ms. Ford is however, very easy on the eyes.