Genres

Visitors Review

moonspinner55 2012-05-17 10:12:39

Deliberately weary modern noir...at times quite arresting, and with a terrific lead performance

Michael Shannon is one of the finest new character actors working infilms today; his performance here as a private investigator from NewYork, hired to trail a middle-aged man from Chicago to Los Angeles bytrain, is the centerpiece of "The Missing Person"...and is very nearlythe entire show. Writer-director Noah Buschel was probably hoping tomodernize the old private eye clichés (including booze, broads, andblaring saxophones on the soundtrack), but his movie doesn't reallystart cooking for at least a quarter of an hour into the proceedings.Buschel's pacing is deliberately slow, and Shannon's John Rosow isintentionally beleaguered and burnt-out, yet there's no reason to be sopoky with this narrative (even Bogie livened up earlier on one of hiscases). The film is well-produced and shot, though it runs the risk oflosing viewers before it starts to take shape. Once it does, it becomesa rather fascinating throwback, its scenario seesawing between the oldand new--like Philip Marlowe in the cell-phone era. **1/2 from ****

2012-05-17 02:24:16

"When I had you"

This review is from: The Missing Person (DVD) In THE MISSING PERSON, we have yet another award-caliber performance from Michael Shannon with his magnetic, brooding look and gritty chops tailor-fit to the role. He grunts, contorts his giant face and wins you over from the start as drunken, depressed P.I. John Rowso. The story is at once simple and full of existential complexities with brilliant details aplenty: The contemplative jazz piano and vibraphone chiming, the classic noir sepia-tone cinematography and several surreal memory/dream interludes. The mood lighting and fuzzy sound are true to form and the writing is PERFECT - "You spark my imagination, Charley", "I won't let you down, Hero", "I'm just trying to remember what I ever saw in you."An all-around treasure, the movie presents "The Past" with gut-wrenching irony: Unattainable and inescapable.

jonahsavant 2012-05-10 14:51:53

The Best Film at Sundance. An original.

After seeing "Neal Cassady" at the Woodstock Film Festival last year, Iwas interested to see what young director Noah Buschel would do withthe noir genre. I was not disappointed.Like his beat "biopic," Buschel turns the genre right on it's head andmakes something completely fresh and new. "The Missing Person" has verylittle to do with it's surface elements, and much more to do withinnovative and original film-making.Michael Shannon delivers his best performance to date. It's him in fullmovie star wattage. He looks great, he sounds great, and he makes agreat damaged hero. The rest of the cast is so superb you almost wishthere was more of them in the film.Perhaps the best use of jazz music I've heard in a film.There will be those who want a faster paced movie. More violence andquickness and loudness. They should just watch "Brick." That was a goodexample of a shallow neo-noir. This is not "Brick." This is a deep andunique film about loss. And also, somehow, a hilarious film about loss.Geoffrey Gilmore, the festival director, introduced "The MissingPerson" the night I saw it at Sundance. He said that it was the firstfilm accepted at Sundance this year and that Buschel was doingsomething no one else was doing right now, which was going back to oldforms and making them new again. A lost art, he said. Something that70's directors used to do a lot.The key point he made was that "The Missing Person" was an utterlyunique film in the guise of a noir film. I couldn't agree more.

samkan 2012-05-10 06:46:44

Moody But Goody

I still unsure what "film" noir means. I'm not entirely convincedpeople who use the term know either. I do know this THE MISSING PERSONis an excellent film. Key elements are the consistency of its tone(dark!) and its even pace. Nothing very surprising or exciting everhappens yet suspense is pervasive. Our hero is a lout and a lush yetnever obnoxious, rude or incoherent. TMP doesn't seem to be about ourgumshoe yet he becomes the focus of the movie; i.e., not the slowlyunraveling plot which leads to a surprisingly satisfying conclusion.Michael Shannon is a stereotypical Hollywood private dick yet seems tobe consciously avoiding the cliché. Try this one out.

wmjaho 2012-05-06 21:37:55

A Classic Film Noir that's not quite a classic

The last great film noir was A Touch of Evil, made 51 years ago. Butthe genre has never lost its allure and every now and then a filmmakerattempts a neo-noir, some succeeding famously (Chinatown, Body Heat)but most lacking the soul of the classic noirs from the 40's and 50's. In The Missing Person, director Noah Buschel tries valiantly torecreate the original genre. First, the classic protagonist: Hot starMichael Shannon (Reservation Road) plays John Rosow, a chain-smoking,gin-soaked private detective living in a run-down apartment next to theChicago L. Then the familiar set-up. A stranger calls and offers waytoo much money to do what sounds like a simple job. And finally, thetwisted tale: Rosow, a former street-smart New York cop, smellssomething rotten, but is spurred by the money and the conviction thathe will be able to outplay the other players.Shannon makes an intriguing protagonist, grizzled and degenerate butwith just enough heart and humanity to make him sympathetic.Unfortunately, the weight of the movie falls entirely on his shoulders.The plot winds its way, with a steady stream of surprises andrevelations, but none of them particularly compelling. The secondarycharacters, especially the perfunctory love-interest, areunderdeveloped. And so, despite Shannon's heroic efforts, the filmstumbles, and ultimately is tripped up by incredulity and apathy.Despite these criticisms, film noir lovers will still find enough toenjoy to make the movie worth watching. Just don't expect Orson Welles.

gradyharp 2012-05-06 01:46:02

A Mood Piece That Uses Old Techniques to Tell a Modern Story

Writer/Director Noah Buschel is a name we will likely recognize more asaudiences who missed the theater release of this very quiet moody piecediscover it on DVD. In many way this story and cinematic recreation ofthe story reminds us of the old dark Bogart mysteries - in tone oftelling, in filming gestures, and in the casting. It is a true 'filmnoir' revealed slowly and insidiously in tones of umber, gray, andwashed out colors so prevalent in the early color films and so additiveto this production. For this viewer it works on every level. Private Detective John Rosow (Michael Shannon in a brilliantlyunderstated performance) is a down and out, alcoholic, internalized andbruised man who is hired to shadow a man from Chicago to Los Angeles.Rosow seems to be easily manipulated by his 'boss' Gus (Papitos) andsidekick Charley (Amy Ryan), but when Rosow reaches Los Angeles hediscovers that the man he is trailing - Harold Fulmer (Frank Wood) - isdelivering a young Mexican boy to one Don Edgar (Yul Vasquez) who seemsto be running an orphanage for lost kids to either sell to adoptingparents or manipulate otherwise. He is sidetracked by an agent LanaCobb (Margaret Colin) but with the help of a taxi driver Hero (JohnVentimiglia) he finally finds his targeted Harold who insists that heis a lost man, a man who only wants to remain missing to help peoplelike the young Mexican who was an unwanted boy to find some degree ofhappiness. Rosow reports his findings, and surprisingly is told thatHarold wife Megan (Linda Emond) will pay a huge sum of money just toretrieve her missing husband. It seems Harold has been missing since9/11, but instead of dying in that explosion Harold escaped and decidedthe world needed help- the only way he felt he could deliver it was toleave behind his wealthy wife and lifestyle and simply do good,anonymous deeds. Rosow meets with Megan, gets the money, but in doingso Rosow must relive the fact that he has lost his wife and world as aresult of 9/11, changing his priorities of how to end his assignment:does he turn over Harold and take the small fortune or does he followhis heart? He does the right thing. Though the story is a strongly told mystery thriller it is first andforemost a story about the loss and disorientation that have paralyzedso many people following 9/11. The beauty of THE MISSING PERSON is themessage that in many ways we are all 'missing persons' now. How weelect to deal with that is the part of the story we individually mustcomplete. Michael Shannon enters the ranks of significant film actorswith this deeply touching role. This is a little film that deserves avery wide audience. Grady Harp

2012-05-01 06:45:26

A moody melancholy pleasure - like a contemplative Miles Davis track.

I never write movie reviews, but this movie, seemingly simple, lingered in my mind long after it finished. It's kinda like an old fashioned Bogart private eye flick with its dry, wise cracking dialogue; but what really sets this movie apart are 2 things. First it's an amazingly deft character portrayal of a man tormented by lost love played by Michael Shannon in a very quiet, subdued study. Actually, the entire flick is like his character - we only see the tip of the iceberg but flashes of hidden depth appear here and there. Secondly, a very original film style. Cool autumnal colors and expressionistic camera work, sometimes bordering on the feverish, give the film a dream like quality; as if we're living in the hazy twilight consciousness of the main character, who is rarely sober throughout the film. Add to this a classy cool jazz soundtrack and it's one melancholy moody movie. Highly recommended.

wes-connors 2012-04-30 15:55:37

Damaged Goods

Seedy private investigator Michael Shannon (as John Rosow) is hired tofind missing husband Frank Wood (as Harold Fullmer). He doesn't holdhis liquor as well as the detectives he emulates, but Mr. Shannonmanages to find a way in the dark. As you might expect, he has secondthoughts about his assignment, and finds himself as well. This is anicely done "film festival" type - involving but not necessarilyentertaining - which does not reflect the films it recalls (HumphreyBogart is mentioned in the script). Writer/director Noah Buschel andShannon are fine, but you can always see them working.****** The Missing Person (1/16/09) Noah Buschel ~ Michael Shannon,Frank Wood, Amy Ryan, John Ventimiglia

2012-04-29 11:15:40

Noir Art Film, Mike Shannons Best Film

If Jim Jarmusch was a better writer and had more heart, maybe he would have made The Missing Person. This unknown little indie gem is so good and fun and sad that I couldn't believe how little fanfare it's gotten. I think it may be the great Michael Shannon movie. Better than Take Shelter.

2012-04-29 04:01:08

A time Waster

This review is from: The Missing Person (DVD) In the tradition of Film Noir, this film is a very poor one.....a plot like Swiss cheese and loaded with stereotypes that lead nowhere.......voiceover.....camera angles.......the sum FAR less than the parts.

Roland E. Zwick 2012-04-22 18:52:23

moody, neo-film noir

In "The Missing Person," Michael Shannon goes the Bogart route, playinga cynical, booze-soaked private detective who's hoping to find a littleredemption in his latest assignment, trailing a man he knows little tonothing about – not even his name. But before long, John discovers thatthere's much more to this man than meets the eye, and that the two ofthem are strangely linked to one another through the tragedy of 9/11.In a way, each of them is a "missing person," one in a literal and onein a figurative sense. Indeed, the best thing about "The MissingPerson" is that just as you think the movie is about one thing, itturns out to be about something else altogether.This moody, bluesy, boozy movie, written and directed by Noah Buscheland co-starring Amy Adams, is deliberate in its pacing and borderlinepretentious in style, with characters who speak in clipped phrases,uttering half-articulated thoughts and hardboiled wisecracks as thedetails of the story spin themselves out. It may not be for everytaste, but the movie hauntingly captures the different but equallyintense responses people can have to trauma and loss.

2012-04-22 07:48:49

Message movie, but what is the message?

This private eye wants his wife back, but the man he is trailing has a wife who he doesn't want to see again. Get it? This little film is kind of a throw-back to film-noire. The detective is either drunk or hung over through most of the action. A rich woman in NYC, and a brokerage firm, are willing to pay $500,000 to track down some schmuck who disappeared after 9/11. See, he decided to change his life and now helps needy orphans, or some such. Only he doesn't want to go home again, ever. This is just ok.

2012-04-13 01:38:39

moody neo-film noir

***1/2In "The Missing Person," Michael Shannon goes the Bogart route, playing a cynical, booze-soaked private detective who's hoping to find a little redemption in his latest assignment, trailing a man he knows little to nothing about - not even his name. But before long, John discovers that there's much more to this man than meets the eye, and that the two of them are strangely linked to one another through the tragedy of 9/11. In a way, each of them is a "missing person," one in a literal and one in a figurative sense. Indeed, the best thing about "The Missing Person" is that just as you think the movie is about one thing, it turns out to be about something else altogether.This moody, bluesy, boozy movie, written and directed by Noah Buschel and co-starring Amy Adams, is deliberate in its pacing and borderline pretentious in style, with characters who speak in clipped phrases, uttering half-articulated thoughts and hardboiled wisecracks as the details of the story spin themselves out. It may not be for every taste, but the movie hauntingly captures the different but equally intense reactions people can have to trauma and loss.

2012-04-12 14:29:24

"When I had you"

This review is from: The Missing Person (DVD) In THE MISSING PERSON, we have yet another award-worthy performance from Michael Shannon with his magnetic, brooding look and gritty chops tailor-fit to the role. He grunts, contorts his giant face and wins you over from the start as drunken, depressed P.I. John Rowso. The story is at once simple and full of existential complexities with brilliant details aplenty: The contemplative jazz piano and vibraphone chiming, the classic noir sepia-tone cinematography and several surreal memory/dream interludes. The mood lighting and fuzzy sound are true to form and the writing is PERFECT - "You spark my imagination, Charley", "I won't let you down, Hero", "I'm just trying to remember what I ever saw in you."An all-around treasure, the movie presents "The Past" with gut-wrenching irony: Unattainable and inescapable.

e-swords 2012-04-08 08:14:16

Powerful Art Film

There is a user comment here that mentions this film as an attempt atclassical noir. Not so. It is an art film with surface elements of thenoir genre. Probably it would be better off playing at museum thanmovie theater. At any rate, if you like David Lynch and Robert Frankand Andy Warhol films-- you will love this movie. Michael Shannondelivers his best performance. Finally he is romantic, leading man. Themusic is amazing. And Joe Lovano shows up to blow sax. The golden,desaturated look fits perfectly with the depressed character andhungover feeling. The best scene has glow in the dark sunglasses in adark trunk. I wont say anything else.

2012-04-07 19:51:30

Very unique, oddly low-key noir

I'm surprised there's only one other review of this film here. It's quite a solid piece of work.Shannon is exceptional as the gumshoe, and director Buschel has a field day both fulfilling and mocking many noir tropes: the film is about a private detective from L.A., there's a scene of L.A. in the rain with neon reflections, the private dick is a heavy drinker, he's non-stop laconic and wise-cracking, he's tortured by a past he won't talk about, and on and on. As a big fan of all things noir (read: unusually honest, in a highly stylized way), I found MP to be both very entertaining and strangely disquieting.There's something a little off about this movie, but in a good way. Just when it seems to be getting typical of the genre, some weird new event will occur and throw everything off kilter. It would be spoilerish to share those events, but suffice to say that they're unexpected and work well. The script is intelligent and concise, while never stooping to either worship or parody of Hammett, Chandler, Cain, or any of the many great films noir of the 40s and 50s. Missing Person is very much its own beast, while paying tribute to one of the great American film and literary genres.A real highlight for me was the scene where they use one of my favorite old doo-wop songs to great effect. Why don't more films use doo-wop? There are so many superb songs waiting to be mined, and the power of the phenomenal singing and melody works to perfection here. I loved that scene; you'll know it when you see it.I'd recommend Missing Person highly to anyone who likes noir in any form, and those who appreciate intelligent writing and direction allied with a truly fine actor. I hope to see plenty more of Shannon; he's a real talent and makes this movie what it is: uniquely satisfying.

picknpen 2012-04-05 08:24:36

Like an awkward wine with an excellent aftertaste

There is only one spoiler for this movie, and it lies in thefundamental reason for its existence. This is not a noir. I can see howthe mistake can be made, due to its laconic style, but there are fairlyrigid genre rules which The Missing Person simply does not meet. I keptwaiting for the noir to develop, and became impatient until I realizedit never would. Shannon's performance, along with the feel and the toneof the film kept me involved during the rough spots (and there are afew). This movie is about one thing: theme. To me, the meandering inthe early narrative mirrors the disconnected nature of the protagonist:lost and adrift, sleepwalking through the job, mired in his own drunkenalienation.The plot is often clumsy, and the story might have been told better attimes, but when you spin through it all, including the almostunbearable chunk of exposition in the NY apartment where Gus and Rosowflesh out the plot machinations, you reach the undeniably powerfulrealization that this movie is about dealing with life-crushing loss.The question I entertained through it all was: who is the missingperson? Initially, it was Fullmer, then Rosow's wife, but ultimately,it was Rosow himself.Not a perfect film by any means, but the final impact redeems it fromall the tangential trivialities one has to sort through on the way.Reminded me (in that way) of The Big Kahuna: frustrating at times, butthe ultimate payoff makes everything worthwhile.

2012-04-04 14:51:58

Classic Noir

This review is from: The Missing Person (DVD) There aren't many movies being made today that I'd give 5 stars to, but this is one. Yet the hero doesn't shoot, stab, or otherwise injure anyone, AND, nothing blows up! Can you imagine? A movie that entertains with its writing, pacing, photography and atmosphere - makes me believe the old Hollywood is not dead, yet.Michael Shannon is perfect in his role as the tortured, boozy detective, and I hope we see him in many more films to come - he's a refreshing change from the Ken-doll standard for current leading men. Missing Person satisfies on many levels, and you'll want to see John Rosow on his next case. Buy this movie!

Sharonwebber 2012-04-03 07:00:09

Great Film

I had the pleasure of seeing this movie at the Edinburgh Film Festival.While I do not think it will be very popular, for those who like moviesthat are a little unusual, this one is for you. The pacing, the music,the lighting is all unusual and terrific. The director Noah Buschelspoke after the film and said he was trying to make a noir whereeverything happened in very ordinary, everyday ways. A "boring noir" iswhat he called it. In other words, the movie is so low-key that itbecomes almost a different genre than noir.But the movie is by no means some kind of abstract experiment. It hadme crying hard at the end of the movie. The credit goes to Buschel andMichael Shannon. Shannon breaks through to another level in this movie,adding a sweetness that I hadn't seen in him before.Heartbreaking stuff.

Sundance Girl 2012-04-02 17:01:55

Elegant, Sad, Funny Rumination on Loneliness and Loss

This movie reminded me a bit of James Gray's movies. Simply shot, actordriven, quiet, sincere, and romantic. While "The Missing Person" ismuch more of an art film than "Two Lovers," I left with the samefeeling of having just watched something very personal and very moving.I don't want to give away too much about this movie, but ultimately itis a film about loneliness and being alone. Sound like a downer? It'snot. Michael Shannon delivers his best performance yet as a drunkdetective who likes to crack himself up with bad jokes(he cracked upthe Sundance audience too.) Amy Ryan, Margaret Colin, and a bunch ofother familiar faces provide moments of humor and sadness. Mostly whatimpressed me about "The Missing Person" was that it wasn't hip orclever. And not fancy either. In fact it was almost the opposite ofevery movie I saw at Sundance. It was mostly just good, honestfilm-making . Rare qualities indeed in independent film these days.