2000, 2 hrs 10 min., Rated PG-13 for terror/violence, sensuality and brief language.�Dir: Robert Zemeckis. Cast: Michelle Pfeiffer (Claire Spencer), Harrison Ford (Dr. Norman Spencer), Diana Scarwid (Jody), James Remar (Warren Feur), Miranda Otto (Mary Feur), Amber Valletta (Madison Elizabeth Frank), Katharine Towne (Caitlin Spencer).

"What's gotten into you." A statement asked by Harrison Ford to Michelle Pfeiffer, but in fact it could be said about either one, and cuts very deep in What Lies Beneath, literally and psychologically.

This is a very quiet film. The score is virtually nonexistent; instead director Robert Zemeckis relies on a lot of buildup for suspense. The plot isn't complicated, the dialogue nothing original, but the performances by Pfeiffer and Ford bring up the film to an above-average level. In the first two minutes we're set up for the rest of the movie with the little surprises that set the tone, such as someone's hand appearing suddenly. It's nothing harmful, only letting the audience know what to expect later. Without the main leads it would be the kind of film that would be great at a midnight showing with the right crowd, with everyone shouting things like: "Don't do that!" "Don't' go in there!" "you stupid!"

Also right out of the gate is reinforcement of our characters; saying their names a few times to get the audience to remember quickly, giving us the plot then working through it without trying to rely on gimmicky twists at the end. No need for those, since there's enough substance to keep you wondering without making Pfeiffer and Ford brother and sister.

PLOT: Daughter leaves for college, in the empty nest Pfeiffer begins getting spooked and investigates the death of a murdered student, Ford thinks she's gone cuckoo, or is she too close to seeing the truth in these otherworldly visits?

Some parts Sleeping With the Enemy, others Rear Window and even others Ghostbusters, it's a film for someone with a Ph.D. in parapsychology and psychology. It's more Pfeiffer's vehicle than Ford's, since it revolves around her experience. Besides looking very good, she shows off her acting chops, running the gamut of emotions, with expressions that leave no doubt about which emotion she's feeling at any given moment.

Ford is solid, but one wonders if he was necessary for the first little bit since his role isn't as important. But eventually you settle in with the knowledge that Harrison was a good choice, that he wasn't going to let Michelle have all the fun.

Ford is even more important since there is only one other real supporting character, kooky friend Jody (Diana Scarwid) to Pfeiffer. Thus the leads had to control every bit of screen time, and chew it up nicely they did.