It's at this point that the film actually changes its story direction from a pseudo-Hitchcockian piece to a more supernatural version of "Fatal Attraction" . . . with even less success.

Again, Zemeckis spends too much time trying to mount tension by throwing easy jolts at the audience (instead of a cat jumping out for a scare, it's a dog). And spending the first third of the movie in a diversionary subplot is hardly an effective use of time.

Still, at least the performers seem to care about the material. Pfeiffer gives her all, as does Ford. Oh, he's still got a chronic case of the mumbles, but at least he ditched the unflattering haircut he sported in "Random Hearts."

And despite their limited screen time, Diana Scarwid provides some needed energy as Claire's new-age-y friend, while indie character-actor Joe Morton is good as her sympathetic shrink.

"What Lies Beneath" is rated PG-13 for scattered strong profanity (including the so-called "R-rated" curse word), a particularly violent struggle, overheard sex, as well as some sexual contact, gore and brief vulgarity (a suggestive pose, as well as some crude slang). Running time: 125 minutes.

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E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com