Page 16 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • October 2, 2013 ‘Prisoners’ is gripping tale that keeps viewers engaged by Dennis Seuling “Prisoners” is a gripping movie about the kidnapping and search for two missing children. Viewers see how a happy holiday get-together can quickly turn into a night- mare. Friends Keller and Grace Dover (Hugh Jackman, Maria Bello) and Franklin and Nancy Birch (Terrence Howard, Viola Davis) have just enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner together with their families when they discover that their two young girls have disappeared. The best clue is a camper that was parked in the vicinity. The police are contacted and Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal) heads the case. Soon after, the camper is located and its driver, Alex Jones (Paul Dano), is arrested. Alex, however, appears to be simple-minded and denies any involvement in the girls’ disappearance. There is no evidence in the camper, and nothing solid tying him to the abduction. He is released to the custody of his aunt after 48 hours. Distressed, frustrated with the investigation, and know- ing that every hour that passes reduces the chance of the safe return of his daughter, Dover decides to take matters into his own hands. As directed by Denis Villeneuve, “Prisoners” is an above-average tale about the extreme actions ordinary people take in extraordinary situations. With a uniformly strong cast, the film artfully unfolds its mysteries, never telegraphing what is to come next. When viewers think they know where the movie is headed, the tale takes unan- Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Keller Dover (Hugh Jackman) discuss the disappearance of a young girl in ‘Prisoners.’ ticipated turns into dark and multi-layered areas. Jackman shows an impressive range of emotion as a dis- traught father refusing to accept assurances and admoni- tions by Loki that the police will do everything possible to see that his daughter will be returned safely. The des- peration, anger, and unfathomable sadness in his portrayal resonate deeply. His Dover is a reasonable man who simply wants more assurances than the police can honestly give. Feeling he knows how to find out where his daughter and her friend are hidden, he resorts to extreme measures to find them. Gyllenhaal’s Detective Loki is the connecting device among the movie’s many subplots and characters. Dedi- cated and moved by Dover’s passion, he extends himself to keep an eye on Alex, even after this chief suspect has been released from police custody. The movie contrasts Loki’s lawful, systematic methods with Dover’s unortho- dox means to the same end. Melissa Leo co-stars as Holly Jones, Alex’s sympathetic aunt, who cooperates with the investigation. Holly is pro- tective of Alex, who seems detached from the allegations directed toward him. Leo plays the aunt with warmth and tenderness that contrast sharply with the kidnapping of which her nephew is accused. Holly is a comforting pres- ence to Alex. She is willing to share personal information about her nephew and allows the police to search her prem- ises, convinced that the young man she knows so well could never commit such a heinous crime. The mood of the movie is somber, with many scenes filmed in heavily clouded skies or even in downpours. Roger Deakins’ cinematography gives the film a gray pal- ette that underscores the dark nature of the story. The care that was taken with the photography is testament to the overall care paid to this production. “Prisoners,” rated R for strong violence, marks the beginning of the fall movie season, a time when films about people rather than superheroes and animated charac- ters return to multiplexes. It is a solidly scripted picture that viewers will not easily forget. Though the subject matter is unpleasant, the story is captivating, suspenseful, and com- pletely involving. It is the kind of movie that hooks one early on and keeps the tension palpable throughout.