Other Voices (2000)

Terrible acting, screenplay and direction.

People are voting emotionally.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

The movie really just wants to entertain people.

Although the acting performances and script are genuinely eccentric and fun, the inconclusiveness of the marriage game, and the consequential lack of a closure prevent Other Voices from reaching the masses.Fundamentally, OV may have worked better as a comedy. Quite frankly, the character of Campbell Scott, as the lead's friend and accountant, is comedic from start to finish. Rob Morrow makes a Tourette's inflicted stock trader a blast to watch. Not to mention the self-absorbed psychiatrist and over-the-top marriage-fixer and his tough-guy assistant.With the timing being the turn of the century, when black or dark comedies ruled Hollywood, maybe OV's creators used a twisted-drama format to preview the impact of an individual-obsessed society.Are we? And, can this be answered by the story of a "keep the relationship fresh" marriage game that went too far and adversely-involved the couples friends and family.The fact that the couple never discussed children cannot be dismissed. Or, is not considering children the self-obsessiveness that the creators wished us to know. Wish we could ask the writers and producers.

This movie is a total romp. Campbell Scott is the man to watch. Try not to miss a word he says. I can easily imagine this thing becoming a cult film. We have already adopted several family slang phrases from stuff he said.David Aaron Baker and Mary McCormack are gorgeous, and Rob Morrow as her brother is wildly over-the-top as a non-meds-compliant Tourette's Syndrome patient. Stockard Channing as the shrink from Hell just fell right in line with the rest of the madness instead of curing any. Do yourself a favor and see this thing. I'll bet you'll thank me for the nudge.

I found Other Voices a delightful brain twister/teaser. It had me thinking for hours after the movie was over, and going back again and again for another viewing. I'm surprised this movie is not more popular.David Aaron Baker's performance was what really pulled the plot along. He made ever lie and every dramatic twist of the plot seem believable. Even when panicking through the subway he had a certain elegance.Personally I think that David Aaron Baker needs to fire his agent, who ever that may be. He has wonderful potential that is being squandered in movies like Tao of Steve. This movie and Music Man have to be the only worth while movies I have ever seen him in. David Aaron Baker is a wonderful actor and even in badly cast roles his talent shines through.

Campbell Scott, cast against type, is absolutely hilarious in this movie. Without him, the film itself is kind of average, but his performance is worth the price of admission alone. That is, if anyone would smarten up and buy and release this movie already!