The Clearing (2004)

Director:

Pieter Jan Brugge

Writers:

Pieter Jan Brugge (story) and
Justin Haythe (story) ...

Release Date:

20 August 2004 (Spain)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller

Plot:

As an executive is held captive by an employee, it's up to his wife to deliver the ransom.

Plot Keywords:

FBI | Deliberate Cruelty | Marriage Problems | Tense | Negotiation

Cast

Robert Redford	...	Wayne Hayes
Helen Mirren	...	Eileen Hayes
Willem Dafoe	...	Arnold Mack
Alessandro Nivola	...	Tim Hayes
Matt Craven	...	Agent Ray Fuller
Melissa Sagemiller	...	Jill Hayes
Wendy Crewson	...	Louise Miller
Larry Pine	...	Tom Finch
Diana Scarwid	...	Eva Finch
Elizabeth Ruscio	...	Cindy Mack
Gwen McGee	...	Agent Kathleen Duggan
Sarah Koskoff	...	Lane Hayes
Graciela Marin	...	Graciela
Mike Pniewski	...	Detective Kyle Woodward
Geoff McKnight	...	John Dewitt

Also Known As:

Anatomie einer Entführung (Germany)

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA | Germany

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Malaysia:U | South Korea:15 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:K-11 | Germany:12 | Netherlands:MG6 | Singapore:PG | UK:12A | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Georgia, USA

Company:

Fox Searchlight Pictures

Trivia:

First film featuring Robert Redford to be screened at the Sundance Film Festival.

Goofs:

Continuity: During Wayne and Eileen's breakfast by the pool, while Wayne is trying to teach the dog to jump in the pool, the orange juice level in her glass changes between shots.

Quotes:

Wayne Hayes: Do you love me?
Eileen Hayes: Yes.
Wayne Hayes: Then I have everything I need.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Six Feet Under: The Dare (#4.7)" (2004)

Soundtrack:

TJ Maxx Advertisement

Sophisticated thriller

My wife and I saw this movie at the Sundance Film festival and were very entertained with it. A wealthy businessman played by Robert Redford is kidnapped by a loser played by Willem Defoe. This is a very low key movie that lets the suspense build slowly until the climax. The characters are realistic and the plot is believable. Screen play has some twists which were not overdone. Robert Redford and Willem Defoe were both at their best. Wife's part played by Helen Mirren was one of the most difficult emotionally and she showed an outstanding performance. Overall the cast's acting was very good. If you like sophisticated thrillers you shouldn't miss this one.