Review of The Disappearance of Alice Creed (2009) by Troy S — 28 Nov 2010

Why wasn't it called "The Kidnapping of Alice Creed?" After all, she's taken against her will. The movie starts with an interesting study of a kidnapper's perspective. Then follows with enough twists to make your head spin. I've don't remember so many twists before but, unfortunately, it reminds you that you're watching a movie. The screenwriter takes elements of "Deathtrap," and "Sleuth" and gives a fairly good psychological version of 3 characters at life's end.

Gemma Arterton is the victim and you can tell that she's going to fight with every timber of her spirits, even when lying down. Eddie Marsan gives the best performance here, a man with brutish ferocity which hides a senstive side. Martin Compston plays Danny and reacts to both of the other actors but his character is also the puzzle here. Who is he playing? Is he really in love or just out for himself? In the end, the movie doesn't really fill out the puzzle or the holes in the plot. For example, what happened to the phone call that Alice made to the cops? We can only rest assured that we've watched an innovative movie by first-time director, J. Blakeson.