Monsieur and I went to see "Prisoners" yesterday afternoon, and, girls, the first thing I want to say is that, in this film, everyone is a prisoner--including the audience!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It runs at a 153 minute length, and, despite its genre and A-list cast, leaves you worn out, as though having just watched an Eisenstein movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!! At least Eisenstein's films were organized. This one is a mess!
Two prepubescent girls, Anna Dover and Joy Birch, go outside to play, in order to work off a hefty Thanksgiving meal. They go near a mysterious white van, just sitting in the neighborhood, which raised my suspicions at once, when it began blaring Ocean's one-time hit, "Put Your Hand In The Hand." Who would be nuts enough to blare that? Because, if they are, you know right away, that, whoever is in there, IS nuts!!!!!!!!!!!!
From here, things get confusing. Anna and Joy return to Joys house, (where dinner is being held!!!) but, then, apparently, sneak out, when they are abducted. At first, I thought they were taken by someone from within, and the story was going in a Jon Benet Ramsey direction.
At this point, Hugh Jackman, as Keller Dover, looking bulky and scruffy, as if he still has not shaken off playing Jean Valjean, goes all histrionic, as he searches for the girls. His hysterics lead him to Alix Jones, (a brilliant job by Paul Dano!!!!!!!!) whom he focuses on as the object of his torment. So, he torments him back, abducting him, imprisoning him in an abandoned building once owned by his late father, whom we learn, was a correction's officer, who committed suicide. So, with that, and a propensity for drink, Dover has his own psychological problems. As do the Birches, whose passivity is pathetic. They know what Dover is doing is wrong, and yet....they go along with it! Even worse, this is all the director, Denis Villenueve, and writer Aaron Guzikowski give the gifted Viola Davis and Terrence Howard to do. I began to hate then, as much as Dover. While poor Maria Bello, good actress, as Grace Dover, just lies around and moans and grieves. Couldn't she at least have smacked someone???????? Like her husband?????????
But all is set right, girls,, when the cool, contained Detective Loki, played by the cool, contained Jake (he of the pretty eyes, wavy hair and enchanting smile!!!!!) Gyllenhaal shows up, playing the role in the cool, contained way he is noted for, and for which I know all you girls yearn!!!!!!!! Me, too!!!!!!!!!! It is actually two contrasting figures--he, and Holly Jones (played by Melissa Leo, who steals the show!!!!!!!!) that liven things up. The trouble is that the back story, which is not seen, is more interesting than the drawn out story we do see.
Holly Jones and her hubby were fanatic Bible thumpers, traveling all over the country, spreading the "Good Word." Then their only son died young, of cancer, and they decide to "wage a war on God," by abducting children and killing them, making the parents feel what they feel, and making them, as they did, lose faith. Two of the children they keep; big hearted Holly still wants some kids around. One of those boys is named Barry Danna, whom they rename Alix, and who grows up into the Dano character. The other is named Bob Taylor, and he somehow escapes, but goes on to recreate his past by acting out portions of it--living in an abandoned house designed like a maze, keeping boxes of live snakes around, to the point where I was sure someone was dipping into Truman Capote's story, "Handcarved Coffins," and going to malls, buying children's clothes. He is the film's red herring!
Years earlier, Holly's hubby confesses to the local, alcohol ridden, pedophile priest (played by Len Cariou) what he and Holly were doing. You get the impression Holly is the brains behind all this, which turns out to be right. He has had enough, but says if he is not stopped, more children will be killed. So, the good Father kills him!!!!!!!!! How about those vows, dolls????????????????
The last part of the film, at the Jones' house, is shot like "Friday The 13th." I expected Betsy Palmer to pop out from behind a tree, at one point! But when Melissa Leo points the gun at
Hugh Jackman, it becomes clear this is Holly's show! And, boy is it! Holly is one cool customer, which is why you will just love her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Somewhere in all this mess is a reasonably decent movie. But because so many plot ingredients are thrown into the mix, the whole thing becomes murky and sloppy, like overcooked veggies in a soup!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yet, the emotional resonance (and the power of Gyllenhaal, Leo's, Jackman's and
Dano's performances) cannot be denied. It is enough to sit through "Prisoners," but, as you watch it, you will (just as I was, darlings!!!!!!!!) be editing it into your head, into the better movie you wanted it to be!
But watch out for that Holly! Theses are Joneses NOT to keep up with!!!!!!!!!!!!
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