Review of Prisoners (2013) by Chrystian H — 28 Mar 2014

Prisoners had a lot to live up to. Just look at that cast; Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Melissa Leo, etc. All actors at least nominated for Oscars, if not having actually won them. There is a lot of talent acting in the film, but any actor is only as good as the material they are handed. So what was the end result?

In short, the most gripping, edge of your seat film I have ever seen. I have never been floored by a movie, or infused with so much anxiety from a film. I was shaking, and hardly able to stand up from my seat as the credits rolled. I don't have many criticisms of this film myself, but I'd like to refute many of the criticism I've seen below.

The most common aspect of the film I've seen complained about is the length. The film is long, running at just under 2 hours and 30 minutes. It has been said that the film delves down every avenue, guiding the viewer through sequences that may not be necessary to the overall plot of the film.

I couldn't disagree more.

The film may be long, but it never felt long to me because every single scene felt completely essential to the film, even if it didn't seem so at the time, by the end, it all comes together. Sure, they could have streamlined the narrative, made it a little more linear, but the film would have suffered for it. The film is littered with characters, but that long running time gives us more than enough time to spend time with them, get to know them, and let them develop properly.

It also gives the film time to completely subvert your expectations of it multiple times. There will, undoubtedly, be several times during the film that you will think you've got it all figured out, but then something will happen that completely throws you off. But then, it will do it again. And at the end, you may end up somewhere that is somewhat predictable, but the journey of how you get there is thrilling.

Another complaint I've seen echoed from several reviewers is with the brutality of the film. But the violence of the film serves a greater purpose, conveys the social commentary on display, and isn't just violence for the sake of violence or shock value. Now, the violence is shocking, but in context, and with relation to the overall narrative, it is essential. How far would a parent go to find their children? Or, what lengths would a parent go to comfort themselves, and convince themselves their child is still alive? The film asks one of these questions, but leaves it up to you to decide which one.

I'd urge you, that if you see the film, pay attention and appreciate every detail. Even when you may think the narrative is losing its way, stay vigil, because the payoff for everything will be there in the end. The last 30 minutes of this film will surprise you and have you on edge like you may never have been before. Everything comes together in that span of time, but it does not feel like it is rushing towards a conclusion, in the traditional sense. It is more like it is rocketing towards a finale that is fast and frantic because it has to be.

I apologize if it seems I am beating around the bushes on some of these subjects, but I absolutely abhor reviews that are unable to tell you what is great about a film without telling you exactly what happens. Spoilers are a big deal to me, and many others, and I try to keep that in mind.

Although Hugh Jackman has top billing, to me Jake Gyllenhaal steals the show here. His character of Detective Loki is most of the time a very subdued character, but he always gives off the sense that something much more is boiling beneath the surface. And when that side of him comes out, Gyllenhaal is a complete and utter powerhouse. Don't get me wrong; Hugh Jackman does wonderful work here, but if you've seen Hugh Jackman before, even just as Wolverine, you'll know that he can pull off angry and ferocious. It's good work, but it's nothing quite out of his wheelhouse. Even all the supporting roles are great and well acted, because the receive the screen time they need to have a full arc as characters.

I don't think I could gush any more about Prisoners without going into specifics, but in short, I implore you to see this movie. If you're a fan of great drama, horror, or just movies in general, this will be a very enjoyable, although somewhat brutal, breath of fresh air. If it meets all the foolish Oscar qualifying guidelines, this will, without a doubt, be one to watch in the coming award season.