A good thriller with a stellar cast (Richard Dreyfuss, Linda Hamilton, John Lithgow, J.T. Walsh and Liv Tyler on her film debut),a good director (Bruce Beresford) and one of the first screenwriting experiences of future Oscar winner Akiva Goldsman, "Silent Fall" is a fine movie dealing with a brutal mystery murder where the only witness is an autistic kid (Ben Faulkner) who could reveal everything about his parents killings if he could communicate or move a little from his shell of a particular world of himself. Dreyfuss plays a highly experienced psychiatrist who is contacted by his sheriff friend (Walsh) to get the boy's attention and find clues to solve the case; with a personal trauma of his own the reluctant Dreyfuss character takes some time with his unconventional work practice to make contact with the kid, and with such slowness another doctor (Lithgow) tries the use of strong medicine to get results and some solve everything quickly.

"Silent Fall" works with efficiency though it's too limited to impress fans of a good whodunit. The lack of characters to build a more thrilling suspense is astoundingly plainful because it makes everything look predictable except for the possible motive for the crimes. So, if that doesn't work why bother watching you may ask. Simple: because the dramatic elements are good enough to make you feel and understand that a higher purpose serves well its story. It's all in the personal moments where Dreyfuss tries to make a bridge to connect with the austistic child that makes it all interesting. He has the skills and the observation power to enter the child's inner world, and with that he can discover great things not just about him but also about himself.

Ben Faulkner's only film performance (not a trained actor by the way) makes it a challenge to the veteran actor and for us viewers. His portrayal of a kid with autism was spot on, nuanced, going from one emotion and reaction to another is a very good manner. Take their first encounter at the crime scene: the kid is yielding a bloody knife and despite an apparently frail boy who could be easily dominated, never talking and just making some grunt noises, you're already terrified. That's when the doctor handles things by finding ways to enter the kid's world and finally distract him. It's when those two are together, creating a bond and obtained clues to the mystery that the film works brilliant - some other plot twists work as well. At some part the "Rain Men" trickery goes way too much in dealing with autism but they don't fail to impress. It's just slightly overused.

Now, if you're still not impressed with anything of that at least give some view or recognition to the cast, all greatly directed by Beresford. Although Lithgow and Hamilton aren't so strong (because their characters are slightly pivotal to the story),the newcomers Faulkner and Liv Tyler as his older sister makes it all appealing. Tyler rose to stardom in Aerosmith videos, then came this movie and not only is she stunning but her character is a deep fountain of surprises, going from a sweet lovely girl to same scary extremes. And the late Mr. Walsh, one of the finest character actors of all time got some time to use his sinister and menacing looks to finally play a good guy; since it's him in the role of the town's sheriff one could get easily fooled in thinking this man's got something to hide (but we never fall thinking he's the killer).

Here's a good psychogical suspense, with thrills and surprises, good performances and many memorable moments. It has some of all the nice elements that can compose a good movie with satisfactory. Non demanding audiences will have a good time watching it and some will have it as a possible favorite on their film lists. 9/10

After reviewing over 400 films, I have reached the point where bad really stands out, and "Silent Fall" is really bad. It totally wastes three good actors, Richard Dreyfuss, J.T. Walsh, and John Lithgow, while Linda Hamilton and Liv Tyler are downright forgettable. The script is such contrived nonsense, that the phrase beyond ridiculous comes to mind. The movie spends most of it's time setting up some unbelievably contrived scenes, like the one in the outdoor restaurant. It's really a shame that fine actors have to be trapped in such a horrendous script, that is devoid of any entertainment value. Believe me when I tell you that "Silent Fall" is bad !!!!!!! - MERK

This interesting psychological drama has a compelling first half, thanks to a solid cast (although Linda Hamilton and John Lithgow are wasted in worthless supporting roles) and handsome production. But the explanations become cliched in the second half, and the movie chooses the most predictable resolution available. It's such an obvious finale that (Warning:SPOILER) two of the characters discuss it and consider it in the first five minutes, so we, the viewers, expect something MUCH more unexpected and bizarre to happen at the end. This has its satisfying moments as a low-key drama (and Liv Tyler is astonishingly beautiful),but falls short as a whodunit. (**)