Prisoners walks a fine line: on one hand it’s a handsomely
directed thriller that cares more about character development than big action
set pieces. It offers one action sequence towards the end, in the snow, so well
done and thrilling that it alone makes for a satisfying twist. The film is
written by Aaron Guzikowski has a few required twists, turns and surprises. In
its late third and forth act it feels like a little bit of a tug-of-war,
throwing in a few dark surprises that feel a wee bit out of place with the
first and second acts. The film is otherwise, mostly, masterfully constructed
by Denis Villeneuve, who tacks the subject of violence with the fine (often
emotional) detail that no doubt served him well in his past career as an
entomologist. He previously directed the Oscar-nominated Incendies, along with
Polytechnique and Maelstrom.
His first Hollywood effort is anything but Hollywood. It
opens simple enough – two families share Christmas dinner – the Dovers (Hugh
Jackman and Maria Bello) and the Birchs (Terrence Howard and Viola Davis).
Their two young daughters go missing and after they try their best to locate
them, Detective Loki is called in (Jake Gyllenhaal). The police hold the only
suspect in the case, Alex Jones (Paul Dano) who is mentally challenged but able
to drive a beat-up, very creepy camper. When Jones is released and quells
something ominous to Keller Dover (Jackman), Keller takes the law into his own
hands, holding Jones hostage.
And here’s where the film engages in a tug-of-war with
itself: skillfully crafted with a brain in its head the film s more and more
violent until its final twists. While the trailer gives away the story up until
the point when it starts to grow darker there’s an awful lot of interesting
material here. Running just over 2 ½ hours the film is constantly engaging full
of white-knuckle moments and top-notch performances by Jackman, Dano and
Gyllenhaal. While the story gives us a few, shall we say, rabbit holes to fall
into the efficient thriller features a decent amount of pay off – trust the
audience is smart enough to follow the film Villeneuve often cuts around the big
hero moments, remaining in full control.
Another star of the film is Roger Deakins’ beautiful cinematography,
which is perfectly matched with Villeneuve’s direction. Prisoners is mostly a satisfying
experience with several really great scenes. Some moments don’t quite work as
well, but then again most films aren’t this skillful.
Screening: Dipson Market Arcade, Dipson Flix, Regal Transit, Regal Quaker Crossing, Regal Hollywood 12, AMC Maple Ridge, Transit Drive In, Regal Elmwood
