MOVIE REVIEW …
THE DISAPPEARANCE OF
ALICE CREED
Proof a battalion of special effects isn’t needed to tell a ripping yarn can be found in ‘Alice Creed’. Featuring current British ‘it’ girl Gemma Arterton, her newest role is a stark contrast to her previous sexy mavens. Her performance benefits from first time director J Blakeson’s minimalist approach as it succeeds in upping the tension amongst his trio of desperate characters.
Danny (Martin Compston) and Vic (Eddie Marsan) are two ex-convicts hatching a daring plan. It involves Alice Creed (Gemma Arterton) the daughter of a wealthy businessman. Kidnapping her for a multi-million dollar ransom, the unscrupulous crims think they have it made. What transpires is a game of cat and mouse between captors and victim leading to a deadly and unexpected aftermath.
This tightly scripted work wrings all it can from its sparse premise. Notionally a twist driven thriller plays on the concept of trust. Although brothers-in-arms, Danny and Vic have separate reasons for kidnapping Alice. An innocent pawn in their plan, her presence reveals secrets both have wanted to hide. Directing from his own screenplay, J Blakeson effectively de-constructs the various dynamics between victim and aggressor.
Well portrayed by the small ensemble, the threadbare script allows them to properly flesh out their conflicted roles. They successfully convey their character’s use of brute force in gaining control over an increasingly dangerous situation. These scenes underscore the film’s intent in showing how far people will go for ready cash with only the multiple ‘false endings’ denying it from having the satisfying conclusion needed.
‘Alice Creed’ makes a lot out of a story made for practically next to nothing. Taut and encompassing a wide range of emotions, it proves an idea small in scope doesn’t need a big budget to match its intense dramatics.
Movie Review Rating 7 / 10
Movie Review by Patrick Moore
THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ALICE CREED released in Australia on Thursday 9 September 2010.
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