Review of Prisoners (2013) by Nicholas F — 05 Aug 2014

Prisoners: The Dark Side of Tragedy -.

There is probably no greater pain then a child being taken from a parent and the fear and doubt of never knowing if you'll see that child again. Knowing that every day, every hour, every second your child could be alone, frightened, and worst of all dead. That is the dreaded crux of the core to this film. Keller (Hugh Jackman) is a rustic strong family man, raising a beautiful family. During a holiday dinner with family friends Franklin (Terrence Howard) and Nancy (Violla Davis), both of their younger daughters decide to go play outside in which they never return. The only suspect, the owner of an RV that was suspiciously parked out in the neighborhood. In comes Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal) heading up the investigation of the missing children.

The investigation follows a strange path of multiple suspects, neither of which are connected, and the prime suspect, the first suspect, is released from holding after having absolutely no evidence to having kidnapped the children. The prime suspect, Alex (Paul Dano), is an infantile man who knows more than he is letting on. Keller having no faith in Loki's ability to find his daughter, takes matters into his own hands, kidnapping Alex himself and keeping him "prisoner", torturing and abusing him trying to get the truth from him. While Loki follows multiple leads of suspicious people, clues that don't match, incidences that turn into dead ends, Keller struggles with maintaining the guise of a father searching for his lost daughter while actually spending his time punishing Alex through violence.

As the tale unfolds and tragedy besets both families worrisome clues start to connect and the tenuous relationship between Keller and Loki threatens the entire investigation. Loki is plagued with the desire to save the girls. As is Keller. But their methods take them to the edge of justice careening close to the depths of vengeance.

While the entire film is tense and driven by a very powerful emotion it is not the most memorable thriller that is out there. This is based solely on the story itself. The crime and solving it is not why you watch this film. You watch this film for one of the most brilliant ensemble performances from a cast of super heavy weights, all of which give fantastic gut wrenching tear jerking performances about the pain, fear, and anger of losing a child. I think it is less about it being "memorable" in the way Se7en or Gone Baby Gone was but the performances and the wonderful cinematography by the one and only Roger Deakins makes it a strong watch. Definitely worth a view.