Review of Hide Away (2011) by Kaye H — 30 Jul 2015

Hide Away is one of those unique movies that draws you in to its silence, its unfolding story, its sensitivity, and its journey. Eyre's direction is a major part of the film itself in his choices of scene, angle, perspective, pans, cut a-ways, and close-ups.

The scenery is a character as much as the actors. The beauty of Lake Michigan (?), in all the seasons of this journey, has a profound effect on the viewer as well as the main character. Personally, I relate to sailboats and the seasonal themes of life on a Great Lake.

This may have amplified my respect for the nearly black and white still shots that permeate this film. The fact that we never--never--know that names of the major characters is almost unnoticeable. The mysterious drama moves us forward with tense imagery and soft sympathy.

We know something terrible haunts this man's past, driving him to hide away from what he cannot escape. We want him to face it and survive. Hide Away is an emotional and satisfying journey toward redemption.