User comments from IMDB:
“The setting is Little Tall, a small island with an equally small population. As a dangerous storm approaches, a mysterious visitor, Andre Linoge (Colm Feore), arrives at the house of Martha Claridan. Linoge kills the old woman then waits to be taken into custody. Linoge is held in a jail cell as the storm gets worse. As the towns people try to stay safe from the storm more murders begin taking place including some unexpected suicides. Each person on the island becomes more unnerved but also more aware that Linoge is in some way responsible. The stranger also continuously tells people, “Give me what I want and I’ll go away”, but won’t answer anyone when asked what it is he wants. Instead, he frightens the people by revealing secrets he should have no way of knowing.
Linoges main opponent in the film is the town constable, Michael Anderson, played wonderfully by Tim Daly. At one point during the scene with the bullet there almost seems to be a mutual respect between the two adversaries though they obviously hate each other. The way these two characters are played off each other is done with top-notch style, due halfway because of the two great performances and the other half due to some smart writing. Another well put together character that helped the story was Robbie Beals (Jeffrey DeMunn), who is the town manager and often disagrees with how Anderson handles the Linoge crisis.
“Storm of the Century” has some genuinely frightening scenes in it, but the strength of the this film lies in its mystery. Throughout, the viewer asks the questions the town asks. Why did Linoge choose this island? What is it he wants? Can Linoge be stopped?
This film is over four hours long, but it hardly ever drags. Linoge is a fantastic villain who never seems over the top. Little things like not just disappearing, but actually walking through doorways, give the stranger that much more of a real effect. The movie becomes a highly affective morality play between good and evil and asks two ultimate question: How far are you willing to go to do the right thing, and what exactly is the right thing, for at the end of the film there was some definite division among the characters.”
“As with every great film it is not for everyone, but keep in mind that no movie is rated above 9.0 here, and that some people will not like it because it was made for TV, is Stephen King, is long, isn’t packed with CGI or gore, or isn’t a comfortably predictable Hollywood story. Don’t let the fact it isn’t rated 8.0+ fool you-this is an outstanding movie.
Absolutely anti-Hollywood (I love it for that as well), this is much more like an independent film not trying to be artsy. Few big name stars, no wasted sub-plots to draw in general audiences, no special effects wedged awkwardly in, not packed with pretty people who cannot act or out-of-place one-liners. This is a pure horror/suspense movie.
If you want a movie you can predict the ending to within 10 minutes, or settle down comfortably to another familiar rehashed horror story, pass on this one-it is original, chilling, and as gripping and memorable as any movie you will see. Like any horror suspense movie, you won’t get the full effect if you have it on at noon while surfing the net and chatting on the phone. I most closely would compare it to Silence of the Lambs or The Ring in tension and flow, but without the shock value. The tension and eeriness this movie creates is palpable.
This is not a slasher/gore movie, and you will get a chance to know the main characters of Little Tall Island, as well as see an original portrayal of antagonist Colm Feore (who perfectly nailed his role). Yes, Anthony Hopkins would have ALSO been great for this role, but I don’t think better. If you are chilled by hearing “I’m a Little Teapot, short and stout…” afterwards, you’ll be here posting great reviews as well. “