Stop me if you heard this one: a working class father loses his little girl. Fearing she has been kidnapped, he begins a journey to find those responsible and bring them to justice. So, what movie does that remind you of? If you said PRISONERS, you are right on. But, where the Hugh Jackman thriller was steeped in darkness and brooding, THE CAPTIVE is bright white and haunting. So, what is the difference?
Director Atom Egoyan (THE SWEET HEREAFTER) is known for his startling character pieces, but THE CAPTIVE looks like it is not sure what kind of movie it wants to be. The trailer starts out like a PRISONERS knock-off before turning into an action thriller that looks like a TAKEN knock-off. Combine those two films and I am not sure the result is a good one.
Eight years after the disappearance of Cassandra, some disturbing indications seem to indicate that she’s still alive. Police, parents and Cassandra herself, will try to unravel the mystery of her disappearance.
Ryan Reynolds is a likeable enough actor, but in THE CAPTIVE he just looks like he is trying too hard. The entire film looks like a low rent project despite the presence of Reynolds, THE KILLING star Mireille Enos, and the lovely Rosario Dawson. It could be that if this film had been released prior to PRISONERS we would be calling that film a copy, but for now THE CAPTIVE doesn’t look like it offers much new to see.
THE CAPTIVE is slated to hit theaters on September 5th.