Review of The Disappearance of Alice Creed (2009) by Tommy M — 21 Dec 2010

Finding a "perfect film" is a very subtle art. It's not very often that a filmmaker makes a film that is so flawless, engaging, enthralling and fun to make that it translates exactly as that to the respective viewership.

The Disappearance of Alice Creed starts out as any other suspense thriller usually goes. The titular Alice (played by Gemma Arterton) is kidnapped and held for ransom by two men (played by Eddie Marsan and Martin Compston). Theyâ(TM)ve very meticulously and carefully plotted out how the kidnapping will go, but as everyone knows, nothing ever goes according to plan.

And thatâ(TM)s it. Thatâ(TM)s as much as I will say about the story, because to do otherwise would be highly detrimental to any and all readers. This is one of those films where the less you know about the story, the better it is. Now Arterton has always been a bit of a crush of mine (Donâ(TM)t worry Kate Beckinsale, youâ(TM)re still and always will be the only one for me), so in watching her films (Quantum of Solace, RocknRolla, Clash of the Titans, Pirate Radio, Three and Out and Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time,) Iâ(TM)ve mostly just checked them out for her eye-candy and less for her full-fledged acting abilities.

Her performance in Alice Creed drastically altered and completely changed my perception of her. Her portrayal of Alice Creed is easily one of the best performances that Iâ(TM)ve seen well, ever. Yeah, sheâ(TM)s that good. Her performance was so amazing. She goes from a quiet, broken and scared girl to a domineering, not-to-be-messed-with warrior woman. Her range here is simply extraordinary. In fact her performance I think could very well be the 8th Wonder of the World (okay, maybe not to that extent, but you get the picture).

Now if one were to go on to a film website such as IMDB perhaps and look at all of the cast members they may be slightly shocked if not surprised that there are only three people in the film. We have the aforementioned Arterton, Eddie Marsan and Martin Compston. Marsan is one of those actors that is simply a joy to watch, you know going into the film that seeing him will make it easily worth it. Iâ(TM)ve been a fan of his for quite some time and here heâ(TM)s at his best (which I guess it to say heâ(TM)s at his normal because heâ(TM)s at his âbestâ? in every single one of his films).

Compston is the third party in the triangle and Iâ(TM)m a little ashamed to admit that Iâ(TM)ve yet to see him in anything else because heâ(TM)s so good. If this film (and his performance for that matter) is anything to go by then I must see all of his other films because heâ(TM)s fantastic. The rapport and the chemistry between Marsan and Compston is something that dreams are made of and is better than the âchemistryâ? between any romantic leads in a Hollywood romantic comedy. Theyâ(TM)re so real and believable together on screen that one could be easily fooled into believing that theyâ(TM)re not really actors but actually friends who have been so for a very long time. Thereâ(TM)s also this great dynamic of power between the two. One minute, Marsan is in control and the next has the ball in Compstonâ(TM)s court.

The film is written by writer/director J Blakeson and again, I feel slightly ashamed that Iâ(TM)m lacking in his viewership because heâ(TM)s some kind of genius. The story as mentioned above starts out fairly normal, but quickly after that thereâ(TM)s absolutely nothing ânormalâ? about this film. The story focuses on these three characters and this is one of the many reasons that itâ(TM)s so good. We spend the whole film getting to know (or thinking) that we know the characters and whatâ(TM)s going on in their minds. The audience can just as easily be emotionally invested in all three of them just as easily as it is to slip on a glove. We spend so much time with all of them that you actually want all three of them to succeed (of course thatâ(TM)s impossible, but one can dream canâ(TM)t he?).

Now being somewhat of a film aficionado I pride myself in all sorts of film knowledge and the like. I know the ins and outs of most films, down to the miniscule little details that most often are missed by the naked eye. I also have extensive knowledge and know-how about stories, writing and structure. But this film basically takes all of that, spits on it says âScrew you!â? and throws it out the window (in a good way of course). The film is rife with plot twists and hereâ(TM)s where it becomes great. Now I know what youâ(TM)re thinking: âA film rife with plot twists? How can that possibly be any good? Many films with a single plot twist suck hardcore!â?.

Well let me assure you that this film is very stringent, careful, calculated and in complete control (as the kidnappers are initially) the entire time. See, itâ(TM)s a funny thing with plot twists. They can make or break a film.

Many have tried and failed to recreate the success of perhaps the most infamous plot twist of all: M. Night Shyamalanâ(TM)s extraordinary stroke of genius at the end of The Sixth Sense (not so much more now because his career has gone down the drain, but thatâ(TM)s an entirely different story).

Alice Creedâ(TM)s plethora of twists are great because not only do they stay within the very fine fabric of the filmâ(TM)s narrative (a thing that completely blind-sided me but not in a good way in Employee of the Month which I saw a little while ago), but because they manage to one-up each other every single time. I take pride in my extensive movie-viewing career and how Iâ(TM)m able to predict more often than not what will happen in a film, but Alice Creed is the exception to the rule.

In no way do I kid when I say that I saw absolutely none of it coming, at all. A plot twist would happen and then Iâ(TM)d tell myself âOh youâ(TM)re a genius! This is whatâ(TM)s going to happen next!â? when BAM, the EXACT OPPOSITE HAPPENS! Then I think âWhoa! Okay steady now, I just got the wind knocked out of me. Take a second to breathe deeply and go again. Alright, now I know whatâ(TM)s going to happen, and then BAM! The exact opposite happens again. Time and time again this film surprised me with the multiple directions that it went, it went places I didnâ(TM)t think it could go but it did, often. Each twist and turn it takes is smart, clever, ingenious, surprising, enjoyable, fun, enthralling and most of all believable. I literally had to pick up my jaw that was sagging on the ground out of complete shock after every âBAM!â? moment. And not just when I saw Gemma Arterton naked in all her radiant and heavenly glory (but that time I did tooâ¦).

As well the writing of the dialogue was simply fantastic. One would think that J Blakeson had actually been kidnapped at some point prior in his life because Iâ(TM)m sure that the dialogue that goes on is exactly (or very close) what would actually have been said in the given situation, and its ensuing events (and you guessed it, itâ(TM)s chock-full with f-bombs). Either that or Blakeson is some kind of genius for being able to write this way.

And lastly the cinematography is just as great as all of the mentioned things above. Each frame, every shot, every close up, every pan out is very calculated and careful. Everything is done with masterful skill and incredible ease. Thereâ(TM)s not one moment in the film that I was taken out by the way it was shot or put together (something that many films today have yet to grasp).

The Disappearance of Alice Creed is in no way a film that should be missed. Itâ(TM)s an experience like no other. Itâ(TM)s one of those select few films where I was completely involved the entire time. That same feeling has only been shared by a certain few (Memento, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, The Dark Knight Inception, 500 Days of Summer, Toy Story 3, The Bourne Ultimatum, Children of Men, American History X, Inglourious Basterds, The Last Samurai and now The Disappearance of Alice Creed). I cannot stress how extraordinary and faultless the acting is, the writing is and the cinematography is.

If you should find yourself looking at the giant board that displays all of the titles currently playing at your local multiplex and Alice Creed happens to be one of them then I urge you to buy a ticket. Itâ(TM)s a very fast-paced, mile-a-minute, adrenaline-fueled thrill-ride that is the utmost example of the word âentertainmentâ? that anyone ranging from casual filmgoer to the highest level of movie geek-dom (be it buff, cineaste, aficionado, nerd etcâ¦) should definitely check out whenever the opportunity arises or presents itself.