David O'ConnellThe Disappearance of Alice Creed
September 6th 2010 06:33
As taut as a hangman’s noose is J Blakeson’s economical The Disappearance of Alice Creed, a knockout suspense crime thriller and superb showcase for its three stars. Blakeson’s set-up is audaciously simple - a three way configuration that insulates a trio of protagonists within a meticulously reinforced apartment designed for maximum soundproofing whilst negotiations take place off stage. All we ever see are the people directed involved with the crime - a couple of low-rent kidnappers just out of jail, Vic (Eddie Marsan) and Danny (Martin Compston), as well as their quarry, rich girl Alice Creed (Gemma Arterton).
In eschewing contact with the outside world Blakeson is required to supply some neat tricks to maintain interest, and half the fun comes from seeing which pathways he explores via some devious machinations. The restricted scenario, in which the actors are placed under a microscope by the constant scrutiny of Philipp Blaubach’s invasive camera, effectively evades creative dead-ends by honing in on the psychology of crime. It’s an intriguing recipe, and one that pays handsome dividends.
The intensity is ratcheted up in the mesmerising opening sequence – a montage of preliminary preparations set to Marc Canham’s propulsive score – and rarely relinquishes its grip thereafter. The performances are virtually flawless. Marsan, so often seen playing third and fourth string in character roles, shines as the tough-minded Vic, chief instigator and dominant half of the criminal duo.
Arterton’s brief career thus far has offered little indication that a performance of this caliber was forthcoming. Her every reaction is credible and achieves a desired effect in conveying the despair and helplessness of Alice’s predicament. Compston inhabits the middle ground in the less showy role of Danny, a man wavering between ruthlessness and conscientiousness, but he’s no less effective.
The Disappearance of Alice Creed (2009) is an impressive achievement from Blakeson who will surely have increasingly higher bidders clamouring for the rights to his next project. This is an undeniably classy feature debut; an intensive, claustrophobic battle of wits in which the requisite, but absorbing twists add spice to an admittedly thin but skillfully extended premise.
Is there any danger of it all coming apart at the seams, with the external world - in the form of negotiations, police or parents - meaningfully omitted? Absolutely, but these perceived inadequacies in the third act were not especially detrimental to the film’s credibility for me. The film counts down to an uncertain outcome too, with the fortunes of each balanced precariously on a knife's edge until the final deadly chess moves are locked in. This superior suspense chiller will have you perched on the edge of your seat, awaiting that final twist. Highly recommended.
The Disappearance of Alice Creed is released in Australia this Thursday, September 9.
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Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Gemma really impressed the hell out of me, having only seen her in (ahem) Prince of Persia, where she just annoyed the hell out of me with her Betty Spencer voice.
I love how the title's meaning changes for the audience at movie's end, and that's the first time the audience sees the title credit too.
Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic
Shaun, when Bryn and I agree on a film, we're never wrong.
Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic