Review of The Clearing (2004) by Rachel K — 13 Sep 2007

Robert Redford and Helen Mirren and Willem Dafoe play three extremely well crafted roles.

Most thrillers can be judged on their plots, but with The Clearing the plot is only a frame for three excellent performances. The story is driven by the kidnapping of a retired businessman (Robert Redford) by a former disgruntled employee (Willem Dafoe0. But while half of the movie follows these two men as they wend their way towards a cabin in the woods, the other half observes the businessman's wife (Helen Mirren) as she copes with both the kidnapping and the secrets it accidentally reveals. Redford and Dafoe play a skillful cat and mouse game as each tries to manipulate the other, but the movie's emotional core is Mirren, a superb actress who turns in yet another rich and layered performance. The emphasis on character heightens the suspense, making The Clearing taut and compelling. The guy who plays Mirren's son is also worth a glance or two and unfortunately does not feature in the swimming pol, scene with his mother and sister - damn!