Prisoners
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Maria Bello
Rated: 6.5/10
It appears that this week, Indians are going to be treated to a few movies that are likely to keep them on the edge of their seats for a majority of the time in the cinema halls. Of course, thrillers and that too one that manages to hold one’s attention despite them being extremely slow and giving the impression they are not going anywhere is a fete in itself. This is where the brilliance of Prisoners comes into play.
Directed by Denis Villeneuve, the 153 minute movie is hold one captive for the entire duration which in itself is quite a task, considering that it is more than a two-hour long movie. After all Hollywood is not known to make such long movies. Even the Harry Potter and Twilight series aren’t that long with Chamber of Secrets being the longest — for161 minutes — not counting lord of the Rings series.
Coming back to Prisoners, the films revolves around a father who would go to any lengths to get back his daughter who has been kidnapped — to the extent of kidnapping the suspect (a boy-man with an IQ of a 10-year-old), keeping him locked, beating him to pulp and showering him with scalding water from time to time to get answers.
Despite the crime element and the thrill quotient, the movie presents some rather disturbing questions. Should there be any boundaries set for parents when their child goes missingIJ Should they be allowed to take the law in their handsIJ Should a father sit at home and wait for the police to do its job knowing that every hour of delay will bring your child closer to deathIJ
The methodically grim movie that has been directed brilliantly under a constant shroud of rain and greyness adds that gloominess that descends on not just two families but all those parents whose child has been kidnapped and never got a closure. Over all, an intense film that takes the viewers on a series of twists and turns making it a must watch.