Never before have I seen a film so resolutely pessimistic and relentlessly optimistic. That is not a strength. The story suggests darkness, coldness, pain. This is appropriate. The director and composer, however, insist on interjecting lightness at possibly the least believable intersections. It's not that Michael Tuchner's direction is necessarily bad - he allows Kiefer Sutherland to give one of the best performances of his career - but he can't or won't decide which kind of film he wants to make.Sutherland is what makes this work. Sure, Ron Silver is good, Marsha Mason, too. But these are expected performances, by-the-book characterizations. Kiefer Sutherland is the only reason you'd really want to see this. The scenes that are completely given over to him, his illness, the inner workings of his mind - these are the moments when "Trapped in Silence" takes you in on a deeper level.In the end, you can feel the limitations of the format. The TV movie feel gets tiresome once you realize it prevents a certain level of ferocity that might otherwise be present. Still, it's a good story, and it feels real enough. Definitely worth it for early Sutherland.

Never viewed this film and was completely surprised at the great performance Kiefer Sutherland,(Kevin Richter),"24" TV Series, gave as a very mentally disturbed young man around 17 years of age. Kevin Richter just sits on the floor under tables, chairs and does not speak to anyone. Marsh Mason,(Jennifer Hubbell), is a specialist in mental disorders and is chosen to take on this case, which all the doctors in the hospital think is completely hopeless and a big waste of time. Jennifer Hubbell tries to obtain medical records and personnel files concerning this very troubled young man and goes around completely in circles. There are days when Kevin improves and other times when he completely goes out of control. There is a scene where Jennifer tries to bring Kevin to a Pizza shop and he hides under the table and I need not tell you anymore. If you like Kiefer Sutherland, please do not miss this film.

Kiefer Sutherland's talent is incredible. I have always been a huge fan, but recently I came across this old made for tv movie and was absolutely blown away by his performance here. Kiefer is an institutionalized teenager who has exiled himself into a silent, crazy world due to years of excessive abuse as a child that culminated in a horrific traumatizing event. Marsha Mason is the psychologist who tries to discover what happened to him.I don't mean to go on and on about Kiefer's role here, but I can't help it. I was so moved by his performance. I felt myself drawn into the movie and wanted to know just as much as Mason's character what had happened to him. I don't know how easy it is to find this movie in your local video shop, I ended up buying it online, but it was totally worth the money, in my opinion. One of Kiefer Sutherland's finest performances (and there have been plenty!) and I highly recommend hunting for this one.

I love this movie and would recommend this movie. Everytime I see it I cry. It will touch your heart. Keifer Sutherland did a great acting job. I would love to see him in more of these kinds of films.