Prisoners is hands down the best thriller I’ve seen in 2013. In fact, it’s one of the best thrillers I’ve seen since The Silence of the Lambs(1991). I remember leaving The Silence of the Lambs feeling like I hadn’t merely watched a movie, I had experienced a cinematic event that would stick with me for ages. I got that same feeling when I left the screening for Prisoners. For two and a half hours I sat slack jawed and white knuckled as I watched a horrifying tale unravel in front of me. Quite literally, Prisonersleft me emotionally spent.
Two couples celebrating Thanksgiving find their lives turned upside down when their young daughters disappear during the afternoon. Mild concern escalates to blind panic when the girls don’t show up after a frantic search by their parents. A run down RV that had been parked in the vicinity is the only lead available. Authorities quickly track down the vehicle and apprehend the driver, a mentally disturbed individual (Alex, played by an excellent Paul Dano) with the IQ of a ten year old. Despite an exhaustive search of the vehicle, authorities can’t find any physical evidence and are forced to let the suspect go free. Keller, (Hugh Jackman), one of the fathers, takes matters into his own hands and kidnaps Alex, desperately trying to extract information by whatever means necessary. Keller converts to vigilante from hell mode with sickening results.
Oscar-nominated director Denis Villeneuve (Incendies) makes an impressive English language debut aided by a taut screenplay by Aaron Guzikowski. The film relentlessly builds unnerving tension and dread throughout the entire running time. Cinematographer Roger Deakins (True Grit, No Country for Old Men) punctuates the pervasive dread with dreary grey and blue tones.
No comments:
Post a Comment