an ambitious but ultimately ineffective debut endeavor.

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

All that we are seeing on the screen is happening with real people, real action sequences in the background, forcing the eye to watch as if we were there.

Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen star in "Living with the Dead," a 2002 Hallmark film based on the book by James van Praagh,"Talking to Heaven." The film also stars Queen Latifah, Michael Moriarity, and Jack Palance. I am interested in spiritual phenomenon, but I'll be honest and say that I've never been a particular fan of James van Praagh. I can't even really tell you why, I just never found him particularly authentic.I'm guessing that van Praagh's book is non-fiction regarding the early life of the main character but that the adult part is fiction. I could be wrong; I don't know that much about his life. In the movie, van Praagh realizes his psychic abilities early on and is encouraged by his mother not to discuss them (and as it turns out, his mother had the same ability). Therefore, he grows up to find his abilities an annoyance. When young boys who are deceased start to appear to him, ask for help, and try to give him a message, his life becomes nearly unlivable. A police detective (Steenburgen) believes him and works with him on the case -- one of the boys had disappeared some 30 years earlier.I found this movie scary, suspenseful, spiritual, and very well acted by all involved. It has a very slow buildup -- it's in two parts - and as the years go on, we become less and less used to stories that have the art of the buildup. However, I urge you to stick with it.There has been a proliferation of this type of material since 1999's "The Sixth Sense" both in films and on television. I think this is one of the better ones.

Many, many theatrical productions have tried to portray what it is like for a person (or a family) to live with a psychic gift. (ie: Medium, Sixth Sense, Providence, to name only a few). This production excels at this on many levels. I don't know if it is the masterful direction of Stephen Gyllenhaal, the exceptional ensemble cast (Mary Steenburgen, Ted Danson, Queen Latifah, Jack Palance, Diane Ladd) or the involvement of the actual character in the writing, but this teleplay is given the treatment it deserves by all involved. This is not just a vehicle for the husband/wife team of Danson/Steenburgen. You can feel everyone's commitment to giving this story authenticity and humanity. Nothing is treated glibly or lightly or taken for granted. The title character is quite unwilling to trust his own visions until they insist on his attention by destroying his business and nearly his sanity. Before proceeding any further I must confess to being a skeptic. I don't personally believe in spirits communicating with living persons. But my grandson fully believes he can see and talk to spirits. How do I deal with that? I have learned to listen and sympathize but not believe. But that means I have been faced with the same problems that so many people in the movie seem to endure. One learns to walk a thin line, trying not to encourage or discourage, just to accept. That is the theme of this work, acceptance. But, back to the excellent acting and great directing. One of Palance's last dramatic roles, a little heavy-handed turn by Danson. But great understated subtlety by Steenburgen. A good watch on a rainy afternoon (4 hours long). I recommend it.

This was a good TV movie.It's based on a 'ture' story, but if you believe that or not doesn't really matter.The story is slow paced and well told. The actors are fantastic in all the roles.Danson's turn from comic to dramatic acting was great... you'd forget all about Sam & Becker... he IS James Van Praagh.This movie is a lot more like Stir of Ecos as poised to the 6th sense... as it deals with an adults attempts to tackle his 'gift' and control his 'visions'.I'd recommend you see it if you can.Enjoy the show!

This film was the best movie I have ever seen with Ted Danson in it.It is now on of my favorite tv movies and is highly recommended. When it first came out alot of people thought it would be really scary but it wasnt that scary and had a good ending! I cannot tell you what the ending was but if you would like to know find out! Way to go Ted !