THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ALICE CREED (2009)

[indianasmith]

OK, this one really caught me by surprise!  I picked it up on a whim Sunday because there wasn't anything else I particularly wanted to see, and was totally impressed!  First of all, there are only three actors in the entire film.  One woman, two men.  No extras, no secondary characters, the entire film depends on the chemistry between three people.

Secondly, there is no real dialogue for the first five minutes or so of the movie.  We see two men remodelling and fortifying an  apartment to turn it into a prison - soundproofing the walls and screwing metal loops onto the bedframe to attach handcuffs.  Then they dress in black and put on ski masks, and silently  leave.  They soundproof a white van, then finally we see them toss a hooded young woman, screaming and protesting, into the van, chain her down, and go.

  Her name is Alice Creed, and her father is rich.  The kiddnappers, Danny and Vic, have been planning this for a year now. Every move is rehearsed, every step scripted.  But Alice is no wallflower.  She is determined to regain her freedom and will do anything to get it.
  I really don't want to give any details away, because it would ruin the film, but this thing has one plot twist after another, and is very creatively done.  It is DEFINITELY worth the rental fee!

Anyone else seen it?

[dean]

I really wanted to see it at the Melbourne International Film Festival when it was playing but both screenings sold out.  Somehow I missed when it came out here... 

I've heard good things, which is good as I've been developing a nice little crush on Gemma Aterton too! 

[Flick James]

I looked it up. British film, looks good. There are times when I simply love British cinema.

[Killer Bees]

I rented it from our Netflix equivalent the other day and it's waiting on my coffee table for me to view it.

It sounds intriguing and I'm looking forward to watching it.  Tomorrow is our Australia Day public holiday so I will be indulging in lots of DVD viewing.

[ulthar]

Just watched this one tonight.

I really liked it.

I was fascinated by a film with only three speaking parts...make that only three people even in the film.  It made the ending credits relatively short.

It was shot with a very visual style, which I like, and dialog written to give the actors the chance to show their chops.

ALICE CREED is a great example of low budget film making based on a really tight, focused script.  It's amazing what happens when film makers don't try to cram the kitchen sink into the plot.

Definitely 4+/5 from me.  Keeps you guessing to the very end, and phenomenal acting in a bleak production design (over on IMDB, someone complained because the sets were so bland....er, completely missing the point, I think).

[JayJayM12]

It's been a couple of years since I've seen it, but I definitely remember enjoying this one.  Very tense with a couple of pretty well done twists.  Plus, Gemma Arterton!