| The Unsaid | |
|---|---|
The Unsaid DVD Cover |
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| Directed by | Tom McLoughlin |
| Written by | Story: Christopher Murphey Screenplay: Miguel Tejada-Flores Scott Williams |
| Starring | Andy García, Vincent Kartheiser, Linda Cardellini |
| Music by | Don Davis |
| Cinematography | Lloyd Ahern II |
| Editing by | Charles Bornstein |
| Release date(s) | July 24, 2001 |
| Running time | 111 min |
| Country | Canada / USA |
| Language | English |
The Unsaid is a 2001 thriller/drama film directed by Tom McLoughlin and starring Andy García that was released in 2001. It is also known under the name The Ties That Bind and its working title Sins of the Father. The film was released straight to DVD in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada but premiered in theaters in other parts of Europe and Asia.[1]
The film follows Michael Hunter's (Andy García) struggle to cope with his son's suicide and his attempt to rehabilitate Thomas Caffey (Vincent Kartheiser), who reminds him of his own son.
Contents |
Psychiatrist Michael Hunter (Andy García) and his wife are watching their daughter Shelly's school play. Their son Kyle, who is suffering from depression, stays at home, because he can not stand being around people. While the parents are applauding Shelly, Kyle commits suicide in the family's garage.
Several years later the family has fallen apart because of their loss. Michael retreats, writes books and holds speeches for students at his alma mater, but he no longer treats patients. When his former student Barbara Wagner approaches him asking for help with a case, he initially refuses, but then gives in to taking over the case of 17-year-old Thomas "Tommy" Caffey (Vincent Kartheiser), who witnessed his father murder his mother. It is Michael's job to decide if the teenager can leave the psychiatric facility when he turns 18. But while working with Tommy, Michael realizes how much the boy reminds him of his own son, and begins to relive his guilt.
In flashbacks and conversations the viewer receives background information of Kyle's suicide. Michael sent his son to a therapist, his old friend Harry Quinlan, instead of taking medication. In his son's suicide letter Michael finds out that Quinlan had molested him. When Michael goes to confront Quinlan, he doesn't answer the door. From the back door, Michael then sees Quinlan holding a gun to his own head; he angrily goads Quinlan into pulling the trigger, and Quinlan commits suicide.
Tommy rebuffs a girl at a party because she wants to have sex with him. At the same party Tommy befriends Shelly and they get closer. Shelly tells Tommy about Kyle. From then on Tommy uses the information in therapy sessions and manipulates Michael, who more and more sees his own son in him.
When Michael visits Tommy's father in prison, he finds out that Tommy had an incestuous relationship with his mother; Tommy's father had beat her to death after walking in on the two of them having sex.
In the last part of the movie Tommy tries to make Barbara release. When she refuses, he breaks into her apartment through a glass door and knocks her out. He flees with a stolen car and armed with a weapon he picks up Shelly from her mother's house and speeds off with her. Michael finds the severely wounded Barbara in her apartment and follows Tommy. The boy's flight comes to an end at the train tracks. Michael confronts Tommy with what his mother did to him, and Tommy surrenders. When a train approaches Tommy tears loose from Michael's embrace and runs onto the tracks, only for Michael to save him at the last second.
In the closing scene Michael and Tommy light-heartedly play ball at the institution.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Andy García | Michael Hunter |
| Vincent Kartheiser | Thomas Caffey |
| Linda Cardellini | Shelly Hunter |
| Chelsea Field | Penny Hunter |
| Teri Polo | Barbara Wagner |
| Sam Bottoms | Mr. Joseph Caffey |
| Brendan Fletcher | Troy Pasternak |
| August Schellenberg | Det. Hannah |
| Trevor Blumas | Kyle Hunter |
International Film Festival of Marrakech, 2001
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