Rent Missing (1982)

Disturbing and moving political drama - excellent - Missing review by RP

Based on the true story of the disappearance and killing of writer/journalist Charles Horman (look him up on Wikipedia) during the military coup in Chile in 1973 and directed by the respected Greek director Costa-Gavros, this is a disturbing and moving political drama.

While it's not an overtly political film, it deals with the search for Charles Horman by his father (Jack Lemmon) and wife (Sissy Spacek) and the lack of any real help or assistance in their search, and the obfuscation and denial by the US authorities of any US involvement in the coup. It turns out that Charles Horman was indeed killed by the Chilean military and that - as is now well known - the coup was orchestrated by the CIA to overthrow the legitimately elected government of Salvador Allende (who had the misfortune to be too left wing for the USA).

The film combines a father's moving search for his son with a growing realisation that his respect for the USA and its freedoms is not matched by its actions and the 'dirty tricks' involved in the role they were playing in Chile and indeed other South American countries.

Excellent script (it won an Oscar and a BAFTA), well acted (Jack Lemmon won Best Actor at Cannes). The film might at first look and feel a bit dated, but stick with it - it really is excellent. 4/5 stars.

Real life power and emotion - Missing review by TE

Costa-Gavras does not miss a single beat in this superb narration of the true story of a young American who was "disappeared" by the vicious Chilean dictator, Pinochet, with the complicity of the American government.

Jack Lemmon gives a career best performance as the father who is at first more concerned to blame his son than the murderous authorities. The father's journey towards the awful truth is brilliantly portrayed. Sissy Spacek is also excellent as the bereaved partner of the murdered man.

The story of the Pinochet coup is one that needs to be much better known. I'd highly recommend 'Nostalgia for the Light' and 'The Pearl Button', both directed by Patricio Guzman, for further viewing. There is also Pablo Larrain's 'No'.

The blu-ray disc for 'Missing' contains a generous selection of extras, featuring Costa-Gavras's commentary on his reasons for making the film.

Stunning - Missing review by sb

FILM & REVIEW https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084335/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_9 Costa-Gravas’ superb political drama set during the 1973 military coup in Chile that brought Pinochet to power. Spacek plays Beth married to Charlie whose a very naive young man who writes children’s books. In the early days of the coup he dissapears and Beth is joined by his Father Ed (Lemmon). Ed is a very conservatism devout Christian who dissaproves of Beth and the leftist liberal views she holds and at first blames her for Charlie’s dissapearence The two set out to discover his sons fate but as the horrors around them become more apparent and the fact that Charlie without realising it at first has been privy to the deep American involvement in events draws them closer. The US Embassy seems to be helping but it soon becomes clear they are doing this to stop Ed digging deeper. Both leads are superb with Lemmon giving the performance of his career (winning best actor at Cannes) . It’s a wonderfully complex performance as Ed begins to realise that the thing he holds most dear - the American Way of Life - is the one thing that has led to his sons murder……. The recreation of the coup (filmed in Mexico) is very well achieved and it’s a key film of the genre - 5/5

Lost Illusions - Missing review by MW

A nightmarish account of the helplessness of an American businessman in trying to trace his missing son, a political activist of sorts, who has been swallowed up by an unnamed South American country in the throes of a military coup. Jack Lemmon is brilliant as the deeply conventional and utterly bewildered father who by degrees, and with the help of his son's wife, the beautiful Sissy Spacek, realises that not only is the Latin American state corrupt but also the tight-lipped and duplicitous US embassy. His faith is shattered as the story builds to its grim climax which includes an unforgettable scene in a body-strewn morgue.