Forget what you’ve heard: Domestic Disturbance isn’t that bad. In fact, the new John Travolta/Vince Vaughn-helmed thriller offers some powerful performances and surprisingly honest moments.
A “family-themed” nail-biter, Domestic Disturbance centers around the tale of a trouble-making 12-year-old (Matthew O’Leary) who just can’t seem to accept his parents’ divorce.
Ever since the couple (played by John Travolta and Meet the Parents' Teri Polo) split, Danny has been going through a rough spell. Things go from bad to worse when his mom decides to remarry, to a guy named Rick (Vince Vaughn).
It’s a natural enough scenario: after all, how many 12-year-olds readily embrace a step-parent?
But things start to get really nasty when Danny discovers that his stepdad has a dangerous secret past. It all unfolds one stormy night (cliche though it is), when Danny witnesses Rick committing a vile act.
Terrified, Danny runs to the police — and learns the hard way what happens to the boy who cried wolf.
Everyone dismisses Danny’s story as a desperate plea by a trouble kid. Everyone except for his father, Frank (Travolta).
It is here where the movie gets a little foggy, slowing down at points where it should be speeding up (the whole film has a down-home feel to it, and seems to channel its plot directly from one of the made-for-TV movies you’d find on Lifetime).
There are some tense moments and a few surprises, but ultimately the plot stays with the tried and true.
What saves Domestic Disturbance from being a toss-out, is its largely all-star cast of actors.
Travolta and Vaughn are both flawless in their roles, squaring off in a primal battle of good vs. evil. Vaughn seethes with madness, while at the same time maintaining a friendly smile. Travolta, on the other hand, is sweet and clever.
Steve Buschemi turns up in a brief, but enjoyable performance and Teri Polo makes the most with her part as the clueless mom.
And despite its flaws, it keeps you hanging on until the end. While Domestic Disturbance definitely isn’t the movie of the year, it’s a hell of a lot better than the movie of the week.
Grade: B
PG-13, 1 hour, 28 minutes
