Communion Reviews

Adapted by Whitley Strieber from his own autobiographical best-seller about his close encounters with extra-terrestrial beings, this interminable exploration of one writer's reluctance to believe the unbelievable fails as a thriller, as a psychological drama, and even as unintentional self-parody. Strieber (Christopher Walken) is blessed with an attractive wife, a precocious son, and a thriving literary career that has been temporarily derailed by writer's block. Trying to unwind with friends at his country cabin, he's understandably perplexed when the retreat is flooded with blazing white lights and things start going bump in the night. Then he begins to behave in a highly paranoid fashion. COMMUNION is simply an ill-conceived film that lacks thrills or wonder. Despite its glossy visuals, it's a by-the-numbers presentation of tabloid material that fails to deliver surprise, suspense, or even rudimentary dramatic punch. COMMUNION disappoints even on the technical level. The sound recording has a hollow, echoing quality, and while the white-hot light effects are convincing, the make-up and costuming of the aliens are laughable.