Film Review: Prisoners (2013)

At first glance, I would have pegged Prisoners as a dull, run-of-the-mill drama.  It may take a few minutes to gain momentum, but once it does, this film becomes a rather bleak and gripping descent into a prison of desperation and despair.

The overall tone, style, and pacing of the film strikes a perfect balance, much akin to films like Zodiac, Silence of the Lambs, or Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.  Prisoners is every bit as dark and moody as these films.  It also handles the brutal violence with just the right level of skill and effectiveness; it rarely lingers on graphic details, but it is still hard-hitting.  The experience overall is mesmerizing and emotionally taut.

The story covers familiar ground, for there are plenty of films, books, and TV shows that focus on missing persons and kidnapped children.  Prisoners excels at telling this simple story, however, because it emphasizes the emotional despair of the case, and it feels all the more real because of it.  In spite of that, it maintains a perfect level of pathos, allowing the audience to connect to the characters and really feel for them (including both the parents of the victims, who go to any length to find their children, and the cops, who want to do their jobs but inevitably clash with the parents).  The conflict shifts in some surprising directions, and it becomes apparent that the real prisoners of this story are not necessarily the kidnapped victims.  After a number of twists and turns, it all leads to a starkly bittersweet ending.

This film uses some simple, but highly effective, photography and editing.  Lighting can be very dark and drab, lending the film a perfect look and style to accentuate the tone.  Acting is what really propels this film above-and-beyond though, thanks to a surprisingly emotional and nuanced performance by Hugh Jackman, and an earnest portrayal from Jake Gyllenhaal.  Everybody else pulls their weight really well.  Writing is good.  This production uses good-looking sets, props, and costumes.  Music is appropriate as well.

Prisoners is a dark and bleak mystery thriller that mesmerizes and hits hard, on a level not too far off from Zodiac or Silence of the Lambs.  If you enjoy these types of thrillers, then this film is a must-see.

4.5/5 (Entertainment:  Good | Story:  Very Good | Film:  Perfect)