Traffic was a very well done movie. It's writer won an Oscar for the screenplay. So when I received Abandon, which was once again Stephen Gaghan's work I was excited. Katie Holmes and Benjamin Bratt star in the movie, two tv stars who are making the transition to film. Sounds like a solid lineup right? So why then did I tell my viewing partner at the end of the film that I wanted my money back? Impossible since I paid not a dime for the disc.
The film is a psychological thriller that plays on twists for effect. We've seen many of these in the last year, most notably Michael Douglas in Never Say A Word which we loved. Abandon though drags through far too many slow scenese that aren't woven together very well. Of course this is on purpose and part of the twisting suspense that builds. Characters are introduced and then suddenly taken away leaving one wonder who did it or was there even really a crime to begin with. The ending is a bit shocking but to reach that final destination one has to patiently sit through the bulk of the movie with unfortunately is plain boring.
The acting is well done with Bratt reliving his Law and Order days as a detective. His almost non chalant mannerisms fit the role well while Katie Holmes manages a new take for her characters. She is withdrawn, a bit shy, not quite the same Katie we have seen in Go or on Dawson's Creek. It's a refreshing look at her. Charlie Hunnam, new to this reviewer, does a really wonderful job of playing love interest, missing person Embry Larkin to whom the story centers upon. Bratt is brought on to reopen a missing persons case, as Embry has been gone for two years and his immense wealth is about to be donated to charity. Where is Embry? Is he dead or just missing? The movie is full of mystery.
I really wanted to like Abandon. It has plenty of key involvment from proven winning people. However the movie's pace just didn't sit well with me. I felt ripped off at the end of the movie since the ending didn't live up to the hype. A good mystery is only as good as its ability to surprise. Unfortunately in the end Abandon failed to surprise me.
The Disc:
The movie uses blue lightining in many scenes to give off an almost depressing feeling. This is good use of cinematography helping to give the mystery some credence. In fact the main audio commentary tracks features not only writer/director Stephen Gaghan but it also brings in Cinematographer Matthew Libatique. It's interesting to hear why they chose certain camera angles or how the lighting effects were used to enhance the film.
The other extras include pretty much standard fare for Paramount discs. There's a featurette that looks at the making of the film, deleted and extended scenes that are ok but nothing good and of course the trailers.
Sounds in the movie are a bit disappointing, especially at the tense moments. The DD 5.1 track just fails to really make good use of the entire range of sounds that are coming through to the listener. It's a shame that move startling sounds weren't used to enhance the thriller.
bottom line:
I really had good hopes for this movie but in the end its style can't outweigh the oversexed plot that dominates the actual mystery. There's far too much sexual tension and not enough thrills.
2 out of 5
By - Brian Gray
