Review of Abandon (2002) by Steven C — 05 Feb 2011

Before I start, I know I am in the minority here. In fact, I have been defending this movie for years. After all, "Abandon" came out in 2002 and it's now 2011, and after almost 10 years I still keep coming back to this film, regardless of it's popular dislike.

Written and directed by Stephen Gagan (Oscar winning scribe of "Traffic"), "Abandon" is extremely generous to multiple viewings. While the basic story is something we have certainly seen many, actually too many, times before, it's the characters and their psychology that really interest me.

I find Katie (a wonderful and complex Katie Holmes) to be a very sympathetic character, regardless of her actions. I find something extremely cathartic in her story. Gagan crafts his morbid tale with a dark and stylish atmosphere rather than going for the easy scares others would have.

He also tells his story with a shifting time frame that helps you see the world through Katie's eyes. "Abandon" is about the mind and how memories can grab hold, sometimes all too literally.

"Abandon" is nothing new exactly, but for me, I really enjoy it. I think it's an involving, moody mystery with a very interesting central character. But then again, I am alone on this one, so go figure.