PRISONERS ("NOT EVERYONE'S CUP OF TEA")

September 27, 2013.

Cast: Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Melissa Leo.

Director: Denis Villeneuve.

Prisoners is Dennis Villeneuve’ big ticket entry into mainstream cinema after his much appreciated Incendies.

Keller (Jackman) is a middle class family man with a wife and two kids who is leading a peaceful life. On thanksgiving day while he is enjoying time at his friend’s place his daughter goes missing along with his friend’s. Detective Loki (Gyllenhaal) is called on to investigate. They catch hold of Alex based on the circumstantial evidence but there seems to be more than what meets the eye and Keller is hell bent in getting his daughter back with or without the help of the police.

What sets Prisoners apart from other movies is the way in which it is treated with nothing but realism be it emotions, fights or desperation. The cinematic touch as we have come to experience is not something that you would find much in Prisoners, which would not be “entertainment” for a section of the audience.

The stark resemblance to Clint Eastwood’s “Mystic River”, only in the treatment, is something which cannot be discounted. But while Mystic River contained a hint of thrill and mystery Prisoners is a bit on the lower side when it comes to those.

This may be the best role that Hugh has played and it would not be surprising if he ends up bagging a few awards for this. He has immersed himself into Keller so much so that a person who does not watch too many movies would end up disagreeing that it is the same guy who played the dashing Wolverine. It is a transformation of sorts for Gyllenhaal as well who plays the honest cop who is frustrated about not being able to find the missing girls.

Wonderful use of the camera giving a purposeful grim feel to the movie and soulful music complement the screenplay really well.

While Prisoners may not fit the usual thriller genre it takes a life of it’s own as a film dealing with a man’s search for his missing daughter, a man who is prepared to go to any lengths to find his daughter, something which gets corroborated towards the end of the film.

If you love cinema that is way too real then Prisoners is your weekend pic.

I am giving a 3.5 for Prisoners. Be prepared for a shocking climax!

IMDB Rating

Rating Scale (Out of 5)

Less than 2                   -           Unwatchable.

2    to 2.25                   -           Below average.

2.5 to 2.75                   -           Average.

       

3    to 3.25                   -           Good.

3.5 to 3.75                   -           Really Good.

4    to 4.25                   -           Great.

4.5 and above               -          Extraordinary.