Genres

Visitors Review

Marc Davis 2012-05-26 01:42:28

Excellent Thriller From the Brits!

The first thing I want to point out about this film is that it only hasthree characters in it total, that's it! Think Tom Hanks in "Cast Away"or James Franco in "127 Hours". Hell, even those films had more thanthree actors in the film, although other roles were minimal. But in"...Alice Creed" I don't think I saw even one extra walking around inthe background of the few outdoor shots. With that said, when you havesuch a short list of characters, performances MUST be strong in orderto successfully pull off a plot like this. I don't know much aboutBritish actors but I'll tell you that all three gave very strongperformances.The story revolves around a plot by two meticulous kidnappers, Dannyand Vic, to extract $2 million dollars ransom in exchange for a youngfemale hostage, Alice Creed (Duh!). They keep her tied up on a bed intheir secret hideaway while they negotiate the details of the exchangewith her rich father (whom we never see nor hear). It's only after shemanages to get a hold of one of the kidnapper's guns that we learn heis actually her boyfriend. WOW. He has to explain to her that he'sdoing it on her behalf, because her father has cut her out of herinheritance. He tells her that he couldn't let her know of the planbecause her fear had to look real, or his partner would have caught onto it and would have killed them both. She reluctantly goes along withthe plan, initially. Then the rest of the movie is filled with an airof uncertainty and has a number of plot twists as Danny and Alice haveto deal with the ramifications of Alice's attempted escape and newfound information.You absolutely have no clue how this will all turn out. I love it andit's a must see.

Fahad Al-yami 2012-05-25 07:41:01

Unpredictable and thriller from the greed including a good story

This movie was about two men planned to kidnapped a rich girl to forceher father to bay money for her sake. Eventually, the movie was OKexcept the guy scene with the criminals kissed each other. Moreover,the movie has some crap acting especially, when she took the gun andgave it back to him. After that she stopped trusting him without anyreasons? Should this happened from the first time? Finally, the storyis excellent but the acting way was a little creepy. I like the movieway which it was unpredictable that make the movie more exciting thanto be familiar with scenes, and Gemma Arterton performance wascompletely perfect, especially the way when she is crying and changedher mind to cease trust Danny.

2012-05-25 04:21:31

Precision and Tight Performances

This review is from: The Disappearance of Alice Creed (Amazon Instant Video) I took a chance in buying this via video on demand and enjoyed it. From the opening scene as the kidnappers prepare their place for the captive, there really aren't any dull moments and even though all of the actors are no-name, they did a good job with the script. There were several points where you could feel the tension and you weren't sure whether the girl or the kidnappers would come out on top. Like one reviewer said already, there are a few twists (though one you will probably see coming) that keep you guessing how the movie will end. It won't win any Oscars, but it was definitely entertaining.

vitaleralphlouis 2012-05-24 19:20:16

Homosexual Couple Plan Their Honeymoon.

Two homosexual men plan to finance their honeymoon by kidnapping a richman's daughter. The girl doesn't like being kidnapped and despite verygood planning --- the movie is a training film for kidnappers just asJeremy Irons film "Moonlighting" was a training film for shoplifting --the girl will divide and conquer the two men.Homosexual audiences -- and homosexual advocates like Mark Rufallo orJulianna Moore -- might enjoy the man-on-man slobbering scenes; but Idid not. If filmmakers want to make a gay-themed movie, then why not beup-front and truthfully write the tag-lines? If these men were sophysically in love with each other, they could have skipped the highfinance idea and checked into the nearest motel. That's what aheterosexual guy like myself would do if the right pretty girl camealong.

Simonster 2012-05-16 10:54:18

One of my Cannes 2010 highlights

Proving that size does not matter (as in size of budget), TheDisappearance of Alice Creed is a triumphant tour de force that took meout of the Cannes sunshine, away from the beaches and babes and youknow what? I don't care!Writer-director J. Blakeson has come up with a wonderfully twisty,turny and gnarly thriller about a kidnapped heiress (Gemma Arterton -brilliant) at the mercy of two vicious gangsters (Eddie Marsan -fantastically evil - and Martin Compston - not playing with a straightdeck).Now comes the dilemma. To spoil or not? NOT! But suffice it to say,nothing is as it seems and just when I thought I had the film sussedand it was going to take a certain route, the tables were turned eachtime.The acting is superb, direction, camera-work all very assured. Theseare people who know not only their trade but also art. The tension ispalpable, nail biting even. Heck! The film also works as a KidnappingFor Dummies! And if such games are part of your love life then you'llcertainly pick up a tip or three here!You won't find me giving away the ending, but it also comes out of leftfield and is most satisfying. You want a taut thriller that bites anddoesn't let go? This is it!

Saad Khan 2012-05-15 23:29:36

it's an amazing, erotic, shocking and riveting movie ,Watch it in first chance you get, you wont be disappointed and will thank me! :-)

THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ALICE CREED – CATCH IT ( A ) Wow that's the firstword came out of my mouth when I finished this incredible suspense,heart hitting thriller. From the 1st scene I knew its not going to be aregular abduction movie, the way they portrayed that how the captiveroom is prepared is incredible. For the first 9.44 minutes there is nota single dialogue. We see them preparing the captive room andkidnapping Alice Creed. After that the shocking way of humiliatingAlice Creed by stripping her cloths off competently and takingphotographs in the scared manner happens, the whole sequence is justmind boggling, at least I was holding my head for the all time. I wasactually stunned to see Gemma Arterton doing such a riveting andpowerful disturbing scene. After that the movie is full of twist andturns till the end plus the movie had heart hitting emotionalinvolvement between the characters that makes it more believable andastonishing. I won't reveal a single twist over here because it willspoil the whole movie; you have to watch it to know what I am talkingabout over here. Gemma Arterton shock me to the core with herperformance. She was astounding; I actually never liked her ever sinceI first saw her in Quantum of Solace007. Though in Clash of the titansand Prince of Persia she looked really pretty and I get to see thepowerful screen presence of her so I understood why everyone is signingher. But with this movie now I know what an incredible performer sheactually is, because this character is pretty painful to portray andshe nailed it every bit of it. Now I just can't wait to watch GemmaArterton in Tamara Drewe. Martin Compston is a good surprise; I havenever seen any of his work before so I was pleasantly surprise to seeanother incredible British lad. He brings freshness to the movie and tothe character he played. His cute face and evil mind disturbed mindmakes the movie more intriguing and riveting. Eddie Marsan isincredible in both violent scenes and emotional. He did an incrediblejob. Overall it's an amazing, erotic, shocking and riveting movie andthe director J.Blackson proved that he truly is capable of bringing agood story in complete natural brutal and believable way. Watch it infirst chance you get, you wont be disappointed and will thank me! :-)

Karen Dallas Hartig 2012-05-05 21:03:09

truly a surprising film, quite well acted, twists and turns, 10/10

oh, yes! a ten it is! why do i say that? i found the story to be veryoriginal and surprising, at many times along until the end. the end isa surprise too. the dialogue and locations were all well done.you have two young men that decide that they will kidnap a rich girland then demand ransom from her rich daddy. she is so beautiful! theybring her to an apartment that is in a loft building that they riggedwith soundproof material on the walls, even, as well as numerous locksthat must have the keys to open them (which the kidnappers, of course,keep to themselves). the building is vacant. it is a perfect place tokeep their charge. but you don't know that it's empty until they takeher out of the apartment, then drive her to a different location,another empty one, so that they will then see her father, who will handover a briefcase filled with pound notes, not sequentially numbered, asany good kidnapper would require. perfect! i like the surprises aboutthe relationships each character has to one another. you never imaginedthese interesting relationships while you watch the movie. they makeeverything make sense. these relationships also prove the motivationbehind the kidnapping and what happens next.*** might be spoiler ***: so you are perpetually surprised at who doeswhat to whom, how the situation changes and all the little secrets thatthey have kept from one another. and the ending is unconventional for amovie of this genre. i hope that is not too much of a spoiler! *** endof questionable spoiler *** i like this movie so much that i may buy itand watch it with my adult son, who will appreciate the plot's twistsand turns, full of surprises. i find that refreshing--it's so original.the reason it is not like a hitchcock movie is because it was not madeby alfred hitchcock. i don't think it is fair to compare it to hitch atall. it is DIFFERENT, in some ways, better than hitchcock.10 out of 10!

writers_reign 2012-05-05 08:48:26

Three For The Money

This plays like a one-set, one-Act stage play that has been 'openedout' for the big screen. There are elements of just about every movieyou can think of in the same genre and there's a certain amount of'cheating' in the way that information it would be logical for theaudience to know is withheld in the interests of plot twists. It'scertainly well done and hooks from the opening sequence in which two ofthe principals first buy the material they will need for their plan tosucceed and then utilise it in soundproofing and securing a room whichwill house a hostage. Where it perhaps falls down is in never allowingthe world outside to intrude. A millionaire's daughter is kidnapped andtwo million demanded for her return yet at no time do we see the(presumably) worried father, the police (who, equally presumably) havemade plans to monitor the exchange. Arguably the worst omission is thepick-up of the money which is never seen; instead the senior kidnapperreturns to the junior and the 'victim' with the money and no signs ofpursuit by the police. Though the acting is high standard from allthree the flaws are just too glaring to overlook.

napierslogs 2012-04-30 01:45:53

Stark and brutal, but "The Disappearance of Alice Creed" is the paramount of independent film-making

In "The Disappearance of Alice Creed", Alice (Gemma Arterton) iskidnapped. Danny (Martin Compston) and Vic (Eddie Marsan) are carefulcriminals and think they know what it takes to get what they want andnot get caught. What follows is a well written, unconventional andstartling exploration of the relationships of everyone involved andtheir plans to get to a better life.Everything in this film is thoughtful, intelligent, and only slightlydark. This is a well thought-out, incredibly well written, and a ratherunique character drama disguised as a thriller. There are some starkand brute acts of selfishness to withstand, but the rewards areremarkable. "The Disappearance of Alice Creed" is the paramount of independentfilm-making. Writer and director J Blakeson has crafted a trulyimpressive film giving both the perpetrators and the victim interestingbut realistic character traits that translate into an original andastute plot about kidnapping. I recommend this as a must-see for thedominating and masterful performances by Arterton, Compston and Marsan,for the perceptive, engrossing and bewitching story-telling anddirection, and for capturing the true art of film-making.Follow my blog Napierslogs' Movie Expositions athttp://napierslogs.blogspot.com

o_cubitt 2012-04-29 18:52:33

Laughably Bad Predictable Offensive Kidnap Caper

note: I've just left the cinema - some of my quotes won't be verbatimbut are close:Poor Gemma Arterton plays the part of Alice Creed. Alice (like herkidnappers Victor and Danny) is given no back story or character;instead the three roles serve only to try and develop some sort oftense plot. Gemma is stripped in the first ten minutes - pointlessly so - perhapsthe filmmakers hoped to titillate - instead they offend. Then she hasto pee into a plastic bottle this is one of a series of gratuitoushumiliating moments which although i'm sure would be argued asessential are unsettling to watch because the film is not clever enoughto get away with them.Whole plot points hinge on fecal matter. Danny trying to hide the facthe's let off a gunshot pretends he is taking a long time in thebathroom because he is having a poo - to which Victor respondssomething like "I can't smell anything" Danny's reply "My sh*t don'tsmell".Danny and Victor's relationship as another plot curveball is laughable,the audience giggled at lines such as "let's just you and me get away,order room service and f*ck for 3 days"The ending is a joke - again the audience laughed. Gemma looks prettyawful in it but does the best with the dialogue she's given - most ofit involving lines such as "If you loved me Danny why would you kidnapme"; the two male leads stink. This film is being incorrectly marketedat the UK audiences and an above average British thriller. It isn't -it is an unintelligent offensive and unsettling for the wrong reasons.AVOID

TeeJayKay 2012-04-27 17:34:23

Stunning in every way

First of all: no dialog for 9 minutes. At the end: only 3 actors in theentire movie -- not a single extra or background character, not even inthe distance! When was the last time you saw that? That alone shouldmake anyone curious who hasn't seen this movie yet. And then (withoutgiving away any details): The film has absolutely unexpected twistsabout every 15 to 20 minutes (take a stopwatch and check)! At no pointdo you know where it is going. And one more thing: Only in the verylast minute do you realize what the title actually refers to! (And bythe way: It is one of the few movies shot entirely on the Isle of Man,which also makes it unique in a certain way.) And after you have seenthe movie, you have to think for a while which one of the threecharacters was the most reprehensible one, morally speaking, and whodeserved what he/she got...

disdressed12 2012-04-27 09:50:20

taut,lean,economical thriller

The Disappearance of Alice Creed is a taut,lean,economical film.thereare only three players in this film.the two kidnappers Dannny (MartinCompston),and Vic(Eddie Marsan),and their victim Alice Creed(GemmaArterton).all three put in outstanding performances.there are a fewsurprises here and as well as some unexpected twists and turns.themovie contains a fair amount of graphic language and nudity andsexuality.and some disturbing images.and there's one scene inparticular which some may find especially offensive.i won't point itout now.you'll know when you see it.it's not for everyone.but if you'reOK with the above,i'd recommend this film.it's not your standardthriller.it's much more intelligent than the norm for this genre.forme,The Disappearance of Alice Creed is an 8/10

sanjayravishankar 2012-04-26 23:27:30

If you'd love watching movies, then you got to see this one.

This is a true classic piece. I had no expectations for this one but atthe end of the movie I was very surprised and satisfied. Movies likethis come rarely and are very much underrated. These kind of moviesprove the fact that simplicity is truly underrated. And about thestoryline, there are only 3 characters and it's about a kidnapping of awoman and that's all I'm gonna say(I don't want to ruin anything foryou guys). The less you read and know about this movie, the more you'regonna love it. Coming to the picturization, it's kept very simple and ordinary,perfect for the storyline. And the camera work is appropriate. Themusic score and sound mixing are very precise, no mistakes whatsoeverand also very engaging and riveting. If you truly love watching movies and have been watching movies for along time then you'll true appreciate this one.

collipal-1 2012-04-26 06:15:09

A wonderful thriller

Most of the reviews I had read about The Dissapearence of Alice Creedwere focused on actress Gemma Arterton's nudity, and they suggestedthat this film was a simple vehicle for this British star, maybe insearch of a recognition as a "serious" actress. However, TheDissapearence of Alice Creed ended up being a wonderful thriller thanksto its intelligent screenplay, perfect direction and brilliantperformances.Arterton, Eddie Marsan and Martin Compston make a fantastic work atbringing their characters to life despite the facts that the film'sshort running time and frantic rhythm do not let too much time todeepen into their characters' past. However, the actors perfectlytransmit everything we have to know, and as the story evolves, we havethe revelations of the complex network of causes and consequences whichmake The Disappearance of Alice Creed to be deliciously unpredictableand exciting. It is truly remarkable to see what director andscreenwriter J Blakeson could achieve with such a modest film. Insummary, this film left me infinitely more satisfied than manyHollywood inflated spectacles from the same genre. In other words, weare in presence of another triumph from independent cinema which givesa lesson of narrative economy and technical efficiency to Hollywood.Speaking of which, the movie's real star is Blakeson's screenplay,whose previous work for The Descent: Part 2 did not indicate this levelof quality. Besides, he shows the same precision and consistency as adirector by creating a magnificent atmosphere of tension and byextracting perfect performances from his cast. In conclusion, I veryenthusiastically recommend The Disappearance of Alice Creed as a hiddengem which leaves perfectly clear that first-class cinema does not needbig investments of money nor big Hollywood stars; having enough talentin front of and behind the cameras is more than enough. I hopeHollywood is taking down notes, but I unfortunately doubt it.

2012-04-21 03:33:47

Brilliant little kidnap/ransom movie!

This review is from: The Disappearance of Alice Creed (Amazon Instant Video) Yes yes you're all seen kidnap movies and ransom movies before, and some even kidnap and ransom together, but I doubt you'll guess the twists in "The Disappearance of Alice Creed"! It's a 3 person movie, meaning that's all you see - which makes it a very intimate movie experience, and you get to see them act out their fears, their emotions, their thoughts. This movie really surprised me all throughout with it's really unique plot twists and character interactions, you really have to pay attention and catch all the little movements and watch their faces for reactions from each other.Gemma Arterton does a great job as the kidnap victim. She's a pretty new actress to the USA audience, which is good - cause a new face with fresh talent is what Hollywood needs! The two male actors are great too, especially the 'cold' kidnapper Eddie Marsan. He's a face you've seen before but just cannot place. And Marin Compston as the naive kidnapper, he's the young one who you believe will help Alice but just keep watching!Overall "A", a fun movie that keeps you on the edge of your seat guessing and jumping sides til the end!!

johnnyboyz 2012-04-20 14:29:22

Driven apart by Creed.

I suppose the filthy yardstick with which you measure projects such asThe Disappearance of Alice Creed is that of something in the region ofSaw IV, a torturous (so to speak); limp; blood thirsty drama arrivingwith what it thinks is a proverbial bang before offering very little inthe excess of cheap, easy and sleazy thrills featuring characters boundup in certain situations for about ninety five minutes and then conkingout on us. In spite of the content apparent in the British debutfeature from a certain J. Blakeson, The Disappearance of Alice Creed isnot the crass; smug; ugly piece of horror/thriller commodity one mightthink – on the contrary, and in spite of its premise of a young femalekidnapped; bound and humiliated, with flashes of nudity and a whole lotof anguish complete with homosexuals at the centre as villains, thefilm is more a relations drama featuring characters we can get behindwith their own respective sets of standards; morals and prerogatives,than anything else.The film begins its rigorous, agonising opening at that of an airportcar park, and one of a pair of men breaking into a parked van which wecan perhaps be forgiven for assuming, given the locale, no one is goingto miss for rather-a while. From here, a Shallow Grave-inspired rompthrough a do-it-yourself store has the two men purchase a number ofboth appliances and equipment required for fitting out a room in anabandoned warehouse to act as a makeshift cell. The final act of thelaborious exercise arrives in the form of an unnatural glancing at thecamera by one of the crooks, a slight but distinct breaking of thefourth wall as we lay there observing proceedings from the perspectiveof where a pillow might be on a bed that has been fitted. It is aperspective these two very shortly implement onto that of the titularAlice Creed, at least it would be if it weren't for the hood they forceonto her. Creed is played by Gemma Arterton, whom here goes a long wayin shedding a stock; passive and prissy screen reputation initiallycarved out in playing surplus Bond girls and St. Trinian's alumnae.Swiped; stripped; shackled and snapped, it is reiterated that herfather has a certain number of days to pay up a ransom or riskrendering the titular scenario from that of a temporary one to apermanency.The two men are Eddie Marsan's Vic and Scottish actor Martin Compston'sDanny; one short and stocky, the other thinner and more handsome; onesnaps his dialogue, the other appears nervous or twitchy in hisdelivery; Vic appears robotic in his actions and speech, blunt in hisstatements and snappy in his dealing with Danny as an accomplice, theman very quickly striking us as the brains behind the idea and the oneprobably more dangerous even if striking us as the one probably lessprone to instigating of any sort of sexualised violence at this point.It doesn't take long for Blakseon to weave an energising, quietlyfascinating drama of minimalist proportions out proceedings; the filmconstantly cracking on with that grizzled edge it gets across in theopening, the piece striking us as the sort of early, experimentalproject one might keep in one's draw for a couple of years beforefinally getting around to shooting.In presenting us with the first or second of several twists, Blakesonreveals his villains to be homosexual; a can of worms which threatensto go on to become a drum of the damn things when all the outcries ofyesteryear by homo and bi-sexual circles were out in force protestingat a flurry of films at around the same time which, in their eyes,painted negative; derogatory portraits of their ilk. The homosexualcharacters here are rounded; flawed; sometimes emotionally frail andwith their own motivations, characteristics which formulate after someearly sequences of brisk facelessness. In this regard, the content is afar cry from what those back-in-the-day perceived as little more thanpetty demonisations, demonisations arriving in the form of the chiefvillains from Basic Instinct; The Silence of the Lambs and JFK, asthese blank and violently sadistic people with confused sexual agendas.The film is drenched in this clammy, scummy atmosphere; something putacross via the eagerness of the film to focus in on the grottiness ofthe situation via the bodily orientated functions prominent throughout:people urinate, vomit, rummage around in dingy bathrooms and mustswallow small, metallic objects that have been in unpleasant places orrisk getting into more serious bother than they already are. It is asentiment somewhat crudely, but otherwise refreshingly, juxtaposed,indeed counter-balanced, by a mid-way point set centrepiece in whichtwo people are lovingly shot as they passionately come together andembrace on a bed; the film pausing around all the grime of the race fora brief pit-stop of playful seduction and unabashed nudity unfolds; ascene that not only goes against the grot and excretal content, but thedominant/submissive nature of the triangulated relationships playingout between the three core characters. Where gross misjudgements oftone and content may have been the order of the day, director Blakesonmanages to spin an energetic tale bogged down in one, dogged locationthat is persistently engaging and always veering characters down routesspawning new orders in this complicated three-way bond. The threeperformers rise admirably to the material when consummateprofessionalism and a steady head are what's required and the wholething totals up into a piece well worth getting excited about.

Da'Mon Guy 2012-04-18 03:58:13

The Little Movie that Could

The Disappearance of Alice Creed is an intriguing thriller full ofdeception, betrayal, mistrust, greed and love. The film premiered inlimited release in 2010. The Disappearance of Alice Creed is a Britishmovie that premiered in limited release in August of 2010. It's asurprising suspense thriller that will keep you guessing as to whatwill happen next throughout the course of the movie. The opening of thefilm aptly exhibits the detailed, meticulous preparation of the twokidnappers for the abduction. These cold, calculating, steps quicklytrigger an emotional response as the audience bares witness to thesesinister acts. After watching the two of them, it instantaneouslydesensitizing the audience, erasing any apathy for the two kidnappers.Conversely, this immediately establishes an instant level of sympathyfor the victim. The movie really emphasizes many of the details of thekidnapping to establish the look and feel of a kidnapping. The Disappearance of Alice Creed progresses just like a short story. Itgives you just enough details to peak your attention but never too muchto spoil the suspense in the process of raising the audience'santicipation for the next twist in the plot. The movie moves at aterrific pace. Each scene cleverly reveals a small detail that builds alevel of anticipation for the next one as it eloquently intertwines thedetails with the unfolding action of the story. The movie's onlydetractor is that it doesn't clearly give too much insight into thebackground of each character other than a brief verbal exchange abouteach. However, this approach adds to the suspense of the film but ithurts the end as we never truly understand any of their motives. The Disappearance of Alice Creed is comprised of three very goodquality performances. Arterton as Alice, the kidnap victim, portraysthe role masterfully as the audience can feel the gambit of emotionsthat she delectably depicts in the movie. Martin Compston gives asequally compelling performance as the seemingly conflicted Danny. Hischaracter was at the center of the film and Compston gives a skillfulperformance that is both sinister and sympathetic simultaneously.Finally, Eddie Marsan (Vic), rounds out the trio of good performancesthat drive the movie. Marsan depiction of Vic, mirrors the opening ofthe film. Cold, calculating and ruthless. His evil performance is thefoundation for the film. The movie contains three very flawed tragiccharacters. This adds to the reality of each. Each of the charactersemotionally driven and bound to one another by the circumstances. Theyeach underwent a specific change by the end the film that alters yourinitial perception of each of them. The film involves one of the mostinteresting plot twists that you'll ever see. The Disappearance of Alice Creed is not your normal kidnapping movie.It's a very cleverly written thriller that will hold your attention andthen surprise you through out. Nothing is as simple as it appears within the movie. It contains an interesting twist that is the film's realstrength. This movie will definitely surprise you as it is not what itappears to be from the outset. I really enjoyed The Disappearance ofAlice Creed. I didn't know what to expect from this movie. I heard thatthis was a really good movie and it was much better than I hadexpected. It is one of the better films that I have seen this year. Itwas both captivating and entertaining. The movie is a real delight as Iwould certainly recommend this to anyone who wants a enjoy a goodmovie.

2012-04-17 18:44:19

A Twisty British Thriller That Shouldn't Be Spoiled by Spoilers

Sometimes the less you know about a movie, the more pleasantly surprising it can be. I, for one, had no fore knowledge of "The Disappearance of Alice Creed" and, consequently, rather limited expectations. So when I sat down with friends and plugged "Disappearance" into the DVD player, I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best. And for once, my pessimism about the movie's prospects were completely unfounded. After an almost wordless set-up, I was already drawn into this tight little chamber piece. Several major twists later and I was delighted to have uncovered a little known gem! With just three characters and a confined and claustrophobic set, "Disappearance" is theatrical (play-like, if you will) in its intimacy. But writer/director J. Blakeson uses this inherent staginess well to create a seamless thriller of lies, deceit, and plans gone wrong. I will say very little about what transpires in "The Disappearance of Alice Creed." Knowing the film's twists in advance may not ruin the movie's effectiveness--but, trust me, it's best just to let this one unfold. All you get from me is this--two armed and masked men take a young, wealthy woman hostage. Keeping her strapped down and helpless, they await a ransom. But all does not go according to plan, needless to say--but you probably guessed that. That's it--I'll go no further. Gemma Arterton plays the unwitting victim in this equation while Eddie Marsan and Martin Compston portray the kidnappers. Marsan is intense and Arterton is appealing, but Compston essays the most difficult role as a sort of a go-between. He is terrific, and all three actors pull their weight in this deadly triangle. But perhaps the biggest star of "The Disappearance of Alice Creed" is Blakeson's screenplay. Using standard thriller conventions, but tweaking them with unexpected revelations, this thriller might have lost all credibility. But Blakeson never pushes too far, maintains the suspense, and the casts brings home the show with much gusto. I really had a good time with this film and it is a definite recommendation. BUT DON'T READ THE SPOILERS! KGHarris, 12/10.

billcr12 2012-04-13 02:50:36

Average crime drama

This British crime drama aspires to be a Hitchcock style of thrillerwith red herrings and twists and turns. The two actors and especiallythe one actress(Gemma Arterton) are all up to the task but I neverreally cared what happened to any of them. The two criminals are lowlife ex-convicts who are looking for a big pay day by abducting a richgirl and collecting money from her father. They meticulously plan thekidnapping with handcuffs and throw away cell phones.The victim comes off as a whining, spoiled brat I was waiting for herearly demise with the bad guys disposing of her and collecting bigbucks.The last 1/3 becomes highly implausible and ruins what could have beenmuch better with the fine acting by the small cast of three. Overall, a6/10.

johnnyboyz 2012-04-12 16:28:23

Driven apart by Creed.

I suppose the filthy yardstick with which you measure projects such asThe Disappearance of Alice Creed is that of something in the region ofSaw IV, a torturous (so to speak); limp; blood thirsty drama arrivingwith what it thinks is a proverbial bang before offering very little inthe excess of cheap, easy and sleazy thrills featuring characters boundup in certain situations for about ninety five minutes and then conkingout on us. In spite of the content apparent in the British debutfeature from a certain J. Blakeson, The Disappearance of Alice Creed isnot the crass; smug; ugly piece of horror/thriller commodity one mightthink – on the contrary, and in spite of its premise of a young femalekidnapped; bound and humiliated, with flashes of nudity and a whole lotof anguish complete as well as homosexuals at the centre as villains,the film is more a relations drama featuring characters we can getbehind with their own respective sets of standards; morals andprerogatives, than anything else.The film begins its rigorous, agonising opening at that of an airportcar park, and one of a pair of men breaking into a parked van which wecan perhaps be forgiven for assuming, given the locale, no one is goingto miss for rather-a while. From here, a Shallow Grave-inspired rompthrough a do-it-yourself store has the two men purchase a number ofboth appliances and equipment required for fitting out a room in anabandoned warehouse to act as a makeshift cell. The final act of thelaborious exercise arrives in the form of an unnatural glancing at thecamera by one of the crooks, a slight but distinct breaking of thefourth wall as we lay there observing proceedings from the perspectiveof where a pillow might be on a bed that has been fitted. It is aperspective these two very shortly implement onto that of the titularAlice Creed, at least it would be if it weren't for the hood they forceonto her. Creed is played by Gemma Arterton, whom here goes a long wayin shedding a stock; passive and prissy screen reputation initiallycarved out in playing surplus Bond girls and St. Trinian's alumnae.Swiped; stripped; shackled and snapped, it is reiterated that herfather has a certain number of days to pay up a ransom or riskrendering the titular scenario from that of a temporary one to apermanency.The two men are Eddie Marsan's Vic and Scottish actor Martin Compston'sDanny; one short and stocky, the other thinner and more handsome; onesnaps his dialogue, the other appears nervous or twitchy in hisdelivery; Vic appears robotic in his actions and speech, blunt in hisstatements and snappy in his dealing with Danny as an accomplice, theman very quickly striking us as the brains behind the idea and the oneprobably more dangerous even if striking us as the one probably lessprone to instigating of any sort of sexualised violence at this point.It doesn't take long for Blakseon to weave an energising, quietlyfascinating drama of minimalist proportions out proceedings; the filmconstantly cracking on with that grizzled edge it gets across in theopening, the piece striking us as the sort of early, experimentalproject one might keep in one's draw for a couple of years beforefinally getting around to shooting.In presenting us with the first or second of several twists, Blakesonreveals his villains to be homosexual; a can of worms which threatensto go on to become a drum of the damn things when all the outcries ofyesteryear by homo and bi-sexual circles were out in force protestingat a flurry of films at around the same time which, in their eyes,painted negative; derogatory portraits of their ilk. The homosexualcharacters here are rounded; flawed; sometimes emotionally frail andwith their own motivations, characteristics which formulate after someearly sequences of brisk facelessness. In this regard, the content is afar cry from what those back-in-the-day perceived as little more thanpetty demonisations, demonisations arriving in the form of the chiefvillains from Basic Instinct; The Silence of the Lambs and JFK, asthese blank and violently sadistic people with confused sexual agendas.The film is drenched in this clammy, scummy atmosphere; something putacross via the eagerness of the film to focus in on the grottiness ofthe situation via the bodily orientated functions prominent throughout:people urinate, vomit, rummage around in dingy bathrooms and mustswallow small, metallic objects that have been in unpleasant places orrisk getting into more serious bother than they already are. It is asentiment somewhat crudely, but otherwise refreshingly, juxtaposed,indeed counter-balanced, by a mid-way point set centrepiece in whichtwo people are lovingly shot as they passionately come together andembrace on a bed; the film pausing around all the grime of the race fora brief pit-stop of playful seduction and unabashed nudity unfolds; ascene that not only goes against the grot and excretal content, but thedominant/submissive nature of the triangulated relationships playingout between the three core characters. Where gross misjudgements oftone and content may have been the order of the day, director Blakesonmanages to spin an energetic tale bogged down in one, dogged locationthat is persistently engaging and always veering characters down routesspawning new orders in this complicated three-way bond. The threeperformers rise admirably to the material when consummateprofessionalism and a steady head are what's required and the wholething totals up into a piece well worth getting excited about.