This intriguing thriller has plenty of great horrific moments and oodles of suspense to keep the momentum going. I hear everywhere that the original Dutch version of this film is the one to go for, but there's nothing wrong with this one either. In comparison with modern horror films it's a darned sight more effective, slower-paced, and more intelligent than I might have expected and it rarely descends into clichéd territory - except in the (admittedly intense) denouement.
This film's main achievement is the casting of the wonderful Jeff Bridges (equally good in ARLINGTON ROAD) as the creepy kidnapper. Bridges excels in his role, complete with a dodgy accent, a poor taste in clothes and a weird haircut. What makes Bridges such an effective menace is his complex character; in most respects he is just like any one of us, a married man with a happy marriage and a loving daughter. Bridge's explanation as to his kidnappings has a kind of perverse logic to it which rings true - and makes him all the more menacing. This guy could be real.
Kiefer Sutherland pales in comparison as the film's rather boring hero, who has no life apart from his obsessive search for the missing girlfriend. Sutherland is actually quite believable in his understated role, but it's a very forgettable one. Sandra Bullock (pre SPEED fame) enjoys a small role as Sutherland's girlfriend, but the one surprising character is Nancy Travis' waitress. She is a strong, resourceful heroine, competently written and a complete surprise. At first you just think she'll be another bland love interest but in the end she turns out to be stronger than even Sutherland himself.
Despite this film being slow-paced and little happening in it, I was gripped throughout via the concept. Bullock's fate is pretty much sealed (after all, it was three years previously when she disappeared), yet the obsessive quest to discover what happened to her is one I can easily understand. In fact I think this is probably the most horrifying thing that can happen to a person; the not knowing. All of the film's action is packed into the theatrical ending, which seems a little bit at odds with the more sombre mood of the rest of the film, but Bridges' tics and mannerisms help it succeed (his character is so paranoid and twisted he actually puts chloroform in the voice piece of his telephone). He also does a nice line in "baddie comes back from the dead" scares making for a number of effective shocking moments. Overall, this is an above average thriller and one well worth seeking out.
This film's main achievement is the casting of the wonderful Jeff Bridges (equally good in ARLINGTON ROAD) as the creepy kidnapper. Bridges excels in his role, complete with a dodgy accent, a poor taste in clothes and a weird haircut. What makes Bridges such an effective menace is his complex character; in most respects he is just like any one of us, a married man with a happy marriage and a loving daughter. Bridge's explanation as to his kidnappings has a kind of perverse logic to it which rings true - and makes him all the more menacing. This guy could be real.
Kiefer Sutherland pales in comparison as the film's rather boring hero, who has no life apart from his obsessive search for the missing girlfriend. Sutherland is actually quite believable in his understated role, but it's a very forgettable one. Sandra Bullock (pre SPEED fame) enjoys a small role as Sutherland's girlfriend, but the one surprising character is Nancy Travis' waitress. She is a strong, resourceful heroine, competently written and a complete surprise. At first you just think she'll be another bland love interest but in the end she turns out to be stronger than even Sutherland himself.
Despite this film being slow-paced and little happening in it, I was gripped throughout via the concept. Bullock's fate is pretty much sealed (after all, it was three years previously when she disappeared), yet the obsessive quest to discover what happened to her is one I can easily understand. In fact I think this is probably the most horrifying thing that can happen to a person; the not knowing. All of the film's action is packed into the theatrical ending, which seems a little bit at odds with the more sombre mood of the rest of the film, but Bridges' tics and mannerisms help it succeed (his character is so paranoid and twisted he actually puts chloroform in the voice piece of his telephone). He also does a nice line in "baddie comes back from the dead" scares making for a number of effective shocking moments. Overall, this is an above average thriller and one well worth seeking out.