The Clearing (2004)

User Rating:

6.0/10   

Director:

Pieter Jan Brugge

Writers:

Pieter Jan Brugge (story) and
Justin Haythe (story) ...

Release Date:

20 August 2004 (Spain)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller

Plot:

As an executive is held captive by an employee, it's up to his wife to deliver the ransom.

Plot Keywords:

FBI | Ransom | FBI Agent | Negotiation | Unfaithful Husband

Cast

Robert Redford	...	Wayne Hayes
Helen Mirren	...	Eileen Hayes
Willem Dafoe	...	Arnold Mack
Alessandro Nivola	...	Tim Hayes
Matt Craven	...	Agent Ray Fuller
Melissa Sagemiller	...	Jill Hayes
Wendy Crewson	...	Louise Miller
Larry Pine	...	Tom Finch
Diana Scarwid	...	Eva Finch
Elizabeth Ruscio	...	Cindy Mack
Gwen McGee	...	Agent Kathleen Duggan
Sarah Koskoff	...	Lane Hayes
Graciela Marin	...	Graciela
Mike Pniewski	...	Detective Kyle Woodward
Geoff McKnight	...	John Dewitt

Also Known As:

Anatomie einer Entführung (Germany)

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Malaysia:U | Canada:PG (Ontario) | South Korea:15 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:K-11 | Germany:12 | Netherlands:MG6 | Singapore:PG | UK:12A | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Georgia, USA

Company:

Fox Searchlight Pictures

Trivia:

One of the numbers listed at the top of the ransom note is 814-949-9207, the fax number for Lakemont Park in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

Goofs:

Continuity: During Wayne and Eileen's breakfast by the pool, while Wayne is trying to teach the dog to jump in the pool, the orange juice level in her glass changes between shots.

Quotes:

Wayne Hayes: Do you love me?
Eileen Hayes: Yes.
Wayne Hayes: Then I have everything I need.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Goedemorgen Nederland: (2004-10-21)" (2004)

Soundtrack:

The Trout

Not so bad

After all of the negative reviews I read about this movie, it was with reluctance and groaning that I agreed to watch it when my wife picked it out. I fully expected a bomb. What a pleasant surprise. "The Clearing" is, as many have pointed out, a slower moving film. Just because there is no action does not mean a film is bad. "The Clearing" is a drama with two story lines moving along in parallel. There is interesting dialogue building up to an uncertain climax. "The Clearing" held my interest and developed suspense. With an only 90 minute running time, I kept wondering how they were going to wrap everything up. And that is the strength of this movie. It is not formulaic. You will not guess the ending. All of the loose ends in both plot and character development come to a conclusion in the final minutes. All in all, much better than expected and well worth renting. 7/10