Don't Say A Word MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: -2 1/2

Noted child psychologist Dr. Nathan Conrad (Michael Douglas) is called by a colleague on Thanksgiving Eve asking for an emergency consult. The patient is a teenage girl, Elizabeth (Brittany Murphy), whos been in psychiatric hospitals for ten years and soon may be locked up for the rest of her life after attacking a male orderly. Thanksgiving is anything but a holiday as Nathan wakes up to discover his daughter kidnapped and the kidnappers seem to know his every move. Hes got until the end of the day to get a number from Elizabeth and save his daughter. But can he find a secret thats been hidden in Elizabeths head for ten years in less than 8 hours? This tense action-thriller may be predictable, but mystery fans will enjoy the unfolding tale.

The film opens with a fairly violent scene of a bank robbery where guards are shot and a truck explodes for distraction. The violence theme continues with other scenes of vicious hits and kicks, dead bodies and graphic killings. Other scenes indicate Nathan’s love for his wife and child as well as caring about his patient’s well-being. He disagrees with his colleague about the use of drugs to learn Elizabeth’s secret, preferring to help her overcome whatever trauma began the mental stays. But Nathan, also concerned for his family, lies to police, breaks laws and resorts to violence as well. Of course, many would feel Nathan’s violence is justified. Unfortunately, the dialogue is also littered with numerous obscenities and several strong profanities. Nathan and his wife, whose leg is in a cast, exchange suggestive comments about a sponge bath but nudity and sex scenes are avoided. With graphic violence and dialogue laced with obscenities and the Lord’s name in vain, DON’T SAY A WORD can’t be recommended.

Preview Reviewer: Paul Bicking
Distributor: 20th Century Fox, 10201 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90035