USA: Actress Toni Collette shows her dark side in the new film, 'The Night Listener'

Australian actressToni Collette takes on an ominous role in 'The Night Listener,' playing the guardian of an ill child who's actual existence is in question. Based on the novel by Armistead Maupin, 'The Night Listener' reveals yet another side to this talented character actress. Collette plays Donna, an odd and mysterious woman who supposedly cares for a sick boy, Pete. When Pete begins a friendship over the phone with a radio show host, played by Robin Williams, his identity comes under scrutiny, raising the question as to whether Pete and Donna are actually the same person. "Such a fascinating story, you know. And I think the fact that it's inspired by Armistead's own experiences and my particular character is just so complex and so layered, even in reading it you're unsure of what is real and what is not, and I think that made it a page turner and when you're watching it you're really kind of intrigued as to what's going on," said Collette. Collette broke onto the silver screen in the 1994 film, 'Muriel's Wedding'. Since then she has starred in a variety of hits, and even garnered an Academy Award nomination for her role in M. Night Shyamalan's 'The Sixth Sense'. Having proven herself a master of both comedic and dramatic genres, Collette said she bonded well with Williams, a masterful comedian in a decidedly un-funny role. "Well, it was amazing working with Robin. He is all of those things that you expect him to be. He has this kind of on tap humour which at times he can't even turn off, and he's just beautiful. I think most things in life work in existing opposition. So for him to be so funny and so light, there is an intensity to him. And he's so dedicated to what he does, and he's just so curious, and inquisitive, and he was very generous, a very generous actor," said Collette. Collette and Williams have several intense, and often scary encounters in the film, pushing the audience to wonder whether Collette's character is going to such lengths to protect the abused boy, or to protect herself. Audiences can discover the truth when 'The Night Listener' hits U.S. theaters on August 04. ENDS.

ITN Source | July 27, 2006

Tags:. .ill. .mysterious. .inspired. .truth. .pushing