PRISONERS 4.0***
It would be easy to compare this movie to some by such renown Directors as
Polanski, De Palma, Hitchcock, and Demme. It’s that good. Here is a
director, Denis Villeneuve, who has availed himself of an awesome cast and what
could be one of the best crime drama scripts in a long time, a piece so
tightly constructed it is almost impossible to look away from the screen. We
are grabbed right away when the children are abducted, and slowly the grip
tightens until it's almost unbearable. We want to know the truth, we want to
relax and hope for the best, but this is not going to be a smooth ride by any
means.
Two daughters of two different families disappear during the holidays. We have an obvious suspect, but as we soon learn, the investigation will not be short or simple. The lead investigator is Jake Gyllenhaal and although he is dauntless and driven, the trail grows cold,. The police hit a dead end and release the suspect to the severe frustration of the parents.. One of the parents( Hugh Jackman) becomes enraged and decides to take matters into his own hands. His wife (Maria Bello) succumbs to grief when she is unable to look evil in the face. The other couple ( Terence Howard and Viola Davis) feel helpless but reluctantly go along with Jackman; and the younger siblings undergo their own torment.
The initial suspect appears unable to communicate what he might know but Jackman is driven to find out. Before we notice, we have another possible suspect darting in and out of the picture. In less capable hands, we would feel like we're being cheated, but this is a valid move by the writers, and it pays off handsomely in the end As we reach the last third of the film, we approach a conclusion, but instead of losing steam, the film becomes even more gripping, giving us tension unlike anything seen in recent movies. The last time I sat so intensely at the edge of my seat was in 1991 with “Silence of the Lambs” when Clarisse wandered into hell at the end of her quest. There is an obvious tribute to that film here, and it will be talked about because it is at the forefront in this film's conclusion, a moment that is bound to become a classic.
Jackman, Davis, Howard, Bello, and Gyllenthal do some of their best work. And although Gyllenhaal does an amazing job as the restrained but dedicated detective, I must single out the spectacular performance of Hugh Jackman as the tortured father who might not like what he discovers as he searches for his daughter but in his mind he has no choice.. It is a devastating performance, one to be studied and discussed because it shows what an actor is able to do with the right support: a terrific script, a director who values and understand what is important in the making of a movie and doesn't rely on technology or gimmick and a great supporting cast., Jackman is one of those rare actors who knows that in order to play a role, he must dig deep and not hold back. Jackman does just that and we are in awe.
Two daughters of two different families disappear during the holidays. We have an obvious suspect, but as we soon learn, the investigation will not be short or simple. The lead investigator is Jake Gyllenhaal and although he is dauntless and driven, the trail grows cold,. The police hit a dead end and release the suspect to the severe frustration of the parents.. One of the parents( Hugh Jackman) becomes enraged and decides to take matters into his own hands. His wife (Maria Bello) succumbs to grief when she is unable to look evil in the face. The other couple ( Terence Howard and Viola Davis) feel helpless but reluctantly go along with Jackman; and the younger siblings undergo their own torment.
The initial suspect appears unable to communicate what he might know but Jackman is driven to find out. Before we notice, we have another possible suspect darting in and out of the picture. In less capable hands, we would feel like we're being cheated, but this is a valid move by the writers, and it pays off handsomely in the end As we reach the last third of the film, we approach a conclusion, but instead of losing steam, the film becomes even more gripping, giving us tension unlike anything seen in recent movies. The last time I sat so intensely at the edge of my seat was in 1991 with “Silence of the Lambs” when Clarisse wandered into hell at the end of her quest. There is an obvious tribute to that film here, and it will be talked about because it is at the forefront in this film's conclusion, a moment that is bound to become a classic.
Jackman, Davis, Howard, Bello, and Gyllenthal do some of their best work. And although Gyllenhaal does an amazing job as the restrained but dedicated detective, I must single out the spectacular performance of Hugh Jackman as the tortured father who might not like what he discovers as he searches for his daughter but in his mind he has no choice.. It is a devastating performance, one to be studied and discussed because it shows what an actor is able to do with the right support: a terrific script, a director who values and understand what is important in the making of a movie and doesn't rely on technology or gimmick and a great supporting cast., Jackman is one of those rare actors who knows that in order to play a role, he must dig deep and not hold back. Jackman does just that and we are in awe.
Rated R for
disturbing violent content including torture, and language throughout.
Clark
PS: The movie may be too intense and have too much
violence(torture) for the faint at heart. But it is HIGHLY recommended as a
serious crime drama with powerful, engaging acting from an excellent cast.
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