In Theaters: Prisoners

Denis Villeneuve's dark, disturbing, and Zodiac-esque "Prisoners" is now playing in theaters. Hugh Jackman (aka Wolverine) is ostensibly the star, but this is easily Jake Gyllenhaal's show. Keller Dover (Jackman) is a deeply religious man's man in Alabama, PA. During the holidays he and his wife attend Thanksgiving Dinner at The Birch Family's (Terrence Howards and Viola Davis) house. Both family's lose track of their respective six year old daughters. Because of what happens in immediately preceding scenes, The Dover and The Birch Families suspect the suspicious man in the camper, played by the immensely talented Paul Dano. It's every parent's worst nightmare. Loki (Gyllenhaal), a detective who's solved every case he's been on, is assigned to the case. He tracks down the RV, and he and his squad mates approach the RV cautiously. Paul Dano's character panics, tries to speed away, and crashes into a tree. This is how "Prisoners" begins. And this sort of suspense and thrill is kept at this level throughout the entire film. The first 30-45mins or so does a really fantastic job of quickly setting up the plot and building up the feelings of frenzy and despair in the four parents. The film is at once a domestic drama, complex morality tale ("How far would you go for your loved ones?"), and a deep study on the type of person who would take the law into their own hands in this anguished setting.

From the first shot on, expert DP, Roger Deakins, depicts a winter-scape that's cold and indicative of dread and decay. When the camera moves, one often experiences chills. I think the film is especially interesting when viewed as Loki's story. It may just seem as though he represents the viewer (twitchy character trait included), an outsider who's trying to piece the puzzle together. But, really, Gyllenhaal takes over the heart of the film as the quiet, relentless, hero that asks for no thanks nor applaud. The movie's beginning foreshadows this baton pass so that it's not jarring to the viewer (see e.g., "Place Beyond the Pines"). Jackman is uniformly good throughout as are Howards and Davis. All four actors tug at our inner emotions and curiosity. The acting makes this movie. If other lesser actors were used or these actors not as committed, the film would be a difficult watch. Jackman, Gyllenhaal, Davis, and Howards expertly reveal their characters' internal life subtly yet clearly.

I think my only criticism is how the knotty plot becomes mostly thoroughly explained in monologue fashion. It's lazy, I think, but it's a minor criticism. A gasp-inducing, abrupt ending (one of the best kinds!) makes up for this. Some might find the film on the longish-side and sigh when one character is introduced seemingly to ramp up the tension mid-way through. However, this was not my experience. It would be difficult for me to decide what to shave off, if I had to. I thought everything about every shot deserved to be in the film, and not just for its dark beauty. "Prisoners" is subtle story-telling at its best. If you come out of it thinking some scene wasn't necessary, you probably weren't paying attention. So as not to get distracted, check it out at a time when it's unlikely that lots of rude audience members will be in attendance. "Prisoners" is my 4th favorite movie of the year so far. It definitely doesn't need your money, but it's worth it provided you can stand some fairly graphic scenes of Wolverine-like rage.