Prisoners

Someone has to make him talk or they're gonna die!

There's something to say about a movie that is so intense, that it leaves you emotionally and mentally drained at the end.  It's the type of movie that draws you in so much, you have to just sit and think for a moment.

These kinds of movies are not bad movies, but rather brilliantly executed because the movie becomes much more than just a visually entertaining masterpiece. It's a story, that reaches deep down inside of you.

Prisoners is one of those movies.

This is the story of two very different fathers, whose daughters are stolen in broad daylight right from under them.  I knew going in this would be an intense movie, after all any movie involving child kidnappings usually is in what I call the "free for all" category. Meaning, if a child's life is at risk, well even the animals don't stand a chance (and those who know me, know just how difficult that can be for me to handle).

The full story of this movie is more than just about finding the kidnapper or possibly killer of these two girls.  

Hugh Jackman takes on the lead role as one of the father's. A man with his own demons, who takes matters into his own hands when the Police fail to keep the main suspect in custody.  In fact, the most stressful scenes in this movie are based on these events.  Paul Dano (Sunshine, There Will be Blood) plays the awkward, and strange young man arrested, and then kidnapped by Jackman's character and then tortured. We are also introduced to Jake Gyllenhaal's dective, who comes across as angry, and almost emotionless determined to catch the kidnapper. But whether for keeping his solving crimes rate up or because he cares is hard to tell.  

The supporting roles are also wrought with emotion, Terrance Howard  plays the other father, and friend to Jackman's. But how he reacts to the kidnapping is much different and emotional, is role stood out to me in just how different they were. To Maria Bello who spent the movie drugged in bed, because she couldn't handle her daughters disappearance.

The entire movie pulls at you from different directions, not giving you much to go on that the characters don't know. It's more intense as you try and solve the mystery, try and figure out who in fact took the children. Director Villenveuve uses great story telling techniques to draw you in, using his directing skills well. The muted winter tones underline the darkness of the story, how cold everything is.

Given the fact this movie is 2 and half hours long, you could expect it feel like it is dragging. But I did not find that. It uses the full time of the movie to draw you in, and that is part of the intense factor. The will they, won't they factor as well.  

Given the nature and rating of this movie I can't recommend it to everyone. With some explicit language, and torture scenes, it can be a difficult movie to sit through.   But it is also a brilliantly done story, and gives a glimpse at how twisted of a world we live in.  I do recommend this movie, to those who are interested in following possible Oscar films. As this has huge potential. And for some, this movie might be better handled in your own home then in the theatre.

I give this 4.5 Icecream Scoops out of 5

Rated R for disturbing violent content including torture, and language throughout