Prisoners

*****
Release Date: September 27th 2013

When Keller Dover's daughter and her friend go missing, he takes matters into his own hands as the police pursue multiple leads and the pressure mounts. But just how far will this desperate father go to protect his family?

Director: Denis Villeneuve (Maelstrom, Incendies)

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Maria Bello, Terrence Howard, Mellisa Leo, Paul Dano

Prisoners is one terrifyingly engrossing film that puts Keller Dover (Jackman) in a everything to lose situation when his daughter and daughter's friend are kidnapped on Thanksgiving. It's powerful stuff to watch, and more so if you have young kids of your own, as you feel every raw emotion Jackman portrays, from upset to denial; he'll do anything it takes to get his daughter back.

Jake Gyllenhaal's Detective Loki is no average cop either. His unique way of thinking and ability to solve every case (as questioned by Grace Dover (Maria Bello), Keller's wife) is unforgettable. Gyllenhaal has a rare talent that almost puts everyone else to shame. It's easy to feel Loki's pain and fatigue as the case looks rapidly unsolvable.

The weather mixed in with low key lighting set the mood of the film from early on. Just as the two families realise their daughters are missing, it's raining, and constantly, dampening the mood henceforth. The settings reflect the emotions of the characters incredibly well. 

It's a shame that other well known actors don't get a chance to compete with Jackman and Gyllenhaal. While we are always in the company of either actors' character, the likes of Franklin (Howard) and Nancy Birch (Davis) have smaller parts, even though they're the parents of the other missing girl. Howard displays some fine acting when he's pitted against helping his friend and finding his daughter and doing what it morally right. Davis is somewhat similar to Maria Bello's Grace, who's too distraught to do anything except wallow in despair. Melissa Leo may have a smaller part, but seems to find a way of making an impact that means she's remembered. She plays the auntie of the 'not so sure if he's' falsely accused' nephew Alex Jones (Dano). His parked RV outside the house as the kids go missing is too coincidental to not be the killer. Or is it?

A big mention should go to Paul Dano. His acting hasn't been this great since There will be Blood. There's a fine line between being offensive with someone whose 'IQ is like a 10 year old', or pulling off some great acting. Dano does the latter.

This is director Villeneuve's first English film effort, and what a great one too, as he keeps us all guessing and never relaxes on the tension.

Overview: A must see for crime solving lovers. Not for the faint-hearted.