Rent The Missing (2003)
3.4 of 5 from 124 ratings
2h 11min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
- Maggie Gilkeson (Blanchett) is a young woman raising her two daughters in the desolate wilderness of New Mexico. When eldest daughter Lily (Evan Rachel Wood - 'Thirteen') is snatched by a dark hooded phantom with mystical powers, Maggie is forced to reunite with her long-estranged father (Jones) who suddenly appears offering help. The killer and his brutal cult of desperados have kidnapped several other teenage girls, leaving a trail of death and horror across the desolate landscape of the American Southwest. Maggie and her father are in a race against time to catch the renegades and save the girl, before the kidnappers cross the Mexican border and disappear with her forever.
- Actors:
- Tommy Lee Jones, Cate Blanchett, Evan Rachel Wood, Jenna Boyd, Aaron Eckhart, Val Kilmer, Sergio Calderón, Eric Schweig, Steve Reevis, Jay Tavare, Simon Baker, Ray McKinnon, Max Perlich, Ramon Frank, Deryle J. Lujan, Matthew E. Montoya, Joe Saenz, Gandi Shaw, Rod Rondeaux, Juddson Keith Linn
- Directors:
- Ron Howard
- Writers:
- Thomas Eidson, Ken Kaufman
- Studio:
- Columbia Tristar
- Genres:
- Action & Adventure, Drama, Thrillers
- Collections:
- Getting to Know..., Getting to Know: Cate Blanchett, The Instant Expert's Guide, The Instant Expert's Guide to Ron Howard, Top 10 Best Picture Follow-Ups, Top 10 Golden Bear Winners, Top Films
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- Not released
- Run Time:
- 131 minutes
- Languages:
- English
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Widescreen 2.40:1
- Colour:
- Colour
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Reviews (6) of The Missing
Gory but moving - The Missing review by JD
Some pretty sickening scenes. Some of the more sensitive and endearing characters come to pretty grizzly ends. Some of the less endearing ones also. I liked the "Western" feel to this drama, other critics obviously didn't. I got this primarily for the pairing of Blanchett and Tommy Lee and was not disappointed. They play pretty much to form but it is a good match and very sparky. Some of the contrivances are unbelievable (as Kermode might say) but I don't like being left with the thought that something wouldn't really work. Is it because directors are so arty they aren't good with minor practicalities or do they just think they'll get away with them? The child actors are good enough not to drag the rest down (unlike the Harry Potter series) because the acting is strong. I was moved and bitterly disappointed (in a good way) with the mood of the film many times.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.
A spooky ‘Searchers’/western ‘Terminator 2’ - The Missing review by HW
This may not have the full emotional scope or complexities of the beautiful Thomas Eidson novel. However among the ranks of film westerns, this one still stands out for its originality and poignancy. Both Tommy Lee Jones and Cate Blanchett excelled as estranged father and daughter: both tough western characters hiding their vulnerabilities. I loved that they kept the young girl Dot in the film as well and the actress playing her was faultless. For western fans, this is worth seeing for its dark, supernatural atmosphere; its emphasis on strong female characters (a western rarity); its exploration of the clashes between races and beliefs in the West; and, of course, its moving message on family and blood ties overcoming these barriers. There’s also some decent action, especially at the end. Do read the novel as well: it may be the best western novel ever written.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.
Underrated Western - The Missing review by GI
Rather a gruesome film from director Ron Howard who is usually a bit more restrained but this western is a riveting experience. The story is a simple one but made exceptional by the performances and the character relationships which bolster the structure of the film. Cate Blanchett plays a frontier woman who has some medical skills and is often called upon to help her neighbours with ailments and injuries. She has two daughters and lives with a handsome rancher (Aaron Eckhart). One day her estranged father (Tommy Lee Jones) turns up much to her consternation as many years ago he abandoned the family and went to live with Indians. But she finds she needs him when a renegade Apache (Eric Schweig) and his band kidnap her oldest daughter and other local girls. Father and daughter have to unite on the dangerous trail to rescue the abducted girls before they reach Mexico and are lost forever. The narrative adds in some interesting ideas around spiritual belief and there's the hint of the supernatural within the story. There are some great action set pieces and some nasty deaths. This is an entertaining film that deserves to find a new audience as it seems to have been a bit forgotten. With Val Kilmer in a small cameo and co-starring Evan Rachel Wood and Elisabeth Moss this is worth seeking out.
0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.