A desperate father is willing to do anything to find his
daughter, who has gone missing along with her friend. CRIME/DRAMA
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Prisoners (2013)Directed by Denis Villeneuve
Written by Aaron Guzikowski Starring Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Maria Bello, Terrence Howard, Viola Davis, Melissa Leo, Paul Dano Oscar Nominations - Best Cinematography |
Having just watched Villenueve's latest flick Dune, I felt it was time to visit some of his earlier work just to get more of a sense of him as a filmmaker. Granted, I probably should've done this before I saw Dune, but I digress. I've yet to watch Enemy or Blade Runner 2049, but I have no problem declaring that Prisoners is his masterpiece. This is one of the tensest films I've ever seen, and a first time viewing of this film will keep you guessing from beginning to end. Are the girls alive? Who took them and why? How far will Keller go to find out? The film is far too real at times, and gives the viewer a frightening look at a missing child situation from various points of view.
One day, while playing outside, Anna and Joy go missing. Anna's parents Keller (Jackman) and Grace (Bello) and Joy's parents Nancy (Davis) and Franklin (Howard) are frantic, terrified, and desperate. Days go by with only one lead. A possibly mentally unwell man in a camper (Dano) might be involved, but no one is certain except Keller, who goes to insane lengths to prove it. Meanwhile, Detective Loki (Gyllenhaal) is constantly butting heads with Keller, and everyone starts to come to the unfortunate realization that they probably won't find the girls alive. But you'll have to watch to find out if they do. This film features the most powerful, earth-shattering performance that Hugh Jackman has ever given. His chemistry with Gyllenhaal is impeccable, and the script is absolute gold. There's a realistic pain to this movie that physically hurts to watch. Any sort of crime thriller involving children is going to feel especially heinous, but Prisoners amps that shit up to eleven. This is a phenomenal film. |
Prisoners has one of the most interesting casts I’ve ever seen put together and a director that officially arrived with this film and is definitely here to stay after following it up with Enemy, Sicario, Arrival, and Blade Runner 2049. Truly one of the best runs from this past decade for a director and 100% the best script that Guzikowski has ever written. I hope he and Villeneuve team up again at some point, because Prisoners is a hell of a ride.
Hugh Jackman and Maria Bello play a married couple who are visiting their neighbors, played by Terrence Howard and Viola Davis. It’s a normal dinner party with both families fully present until they notice their daughters aren’t anywhere to be found. Keller Dover (Jackman) definitely wants to take matters into his own hands and he does, but Detective Loki (Gyllenhaal) is put in charge of finding the missing girls and Keller doesn’t really see eye to eye with him. Tensions rise rapidly and steadily in very thrilling fashion as the families and police scramble in search of their children. Prisoners does a great job of immediately grabbing your attention with awesome character introductions and even better progression. Jake Gyllenhaal is the standout as Detective Loki, who runs into some real weirdos that make his time looking for the missing girls very difficult. Seeing Gyllenhaal and Jackman go head to head in a film this intense is a treat. All the performances are spot on even though the story gets a bit convoluted at times. That’s okay when Loki is on the case and Villeneuve is directing. |