Hide in Plain Sight (1980)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

James Caan

Writers:

Leslie Waller (book)
Spencer Eastman (screenplay)

Release Date:

13 November 1981 (Finland)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

This was based on a true story. About a man (Caan) who discovers that his ex-wife has disappeared along with their children...

Plot Keywords:

Witness Protection | Witness Protection Program | Ex Wife | Father Child Relationship | Snitch

Cast

James Caan	...	Thomas Hacklin
Jill Eikenberry	...	Alisa / Ali
Robert Viharo	...	Jack Scolese
Joe Grifasi	...	Matty Stanke
Barbra Rae	...	Ruthie Hacklin
Kenneth McMillan	...	Sam Marzetta
Josef Sommer	...	Jason R. Reid, Justice Dept. Strike Force
Danny Aiello	...	Sal Carvello
Thomas Hill	...	Bobby Momisa
Chuck Hicks	...	Frankie Irish
Andy Fenwick	...	Andy Hacklin (as Andrew Gordon Fenwick)
Heather Bicknell	...	Junie Hacklin
David Clennon	...	Richard Fieldston
Peter Maloney	...	Lee McHugh
Ken Sylk	...	Frantuzzi

Runtime:

92 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Finland:K-12 | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Remington Steele: Grappling Steele (#4.4)" (1985)

Witness protection

Never saw this film directed by James Caan, who also appears in the title role. This movie must have gone directly to video because we don't recollect if it ever was released commercially. The picture has a "movie of the week" feeling to it, which could well be the reason for not having received a wider release.

The film makes an interesting point. Thomas Hacklin, a factory worker, has divorced his wife, but they have remained in friendly terms. We watch as Tom comes, at the start of the movie, to baby sit his son and daughter. Clearly, Tom adores these children.

His divorced wife has remarried the small time hoodlum Jack Solese. When this man runs into problems with the law, he is offered a release and witness protection in exchange for his cooperation in getting the principal mobsters in jail. When he complies and points the finger to the responsible guys, Jack and his family are relocated to Michigan. Tom, on the other hand, is not notified about the where abouts. Thus begins his quest for his own children.

James Caan, makes a good impression as the working class father. Jill Eikenberry plays Alisa, the woman who has settled in the area and loves Tom. The supporting cast is good. Robert Viharo, Joe Grifasi, Barbra Rae, Kenneth McMillan, Josef Sommer and Danny Aiello work well under Mr. Caan's direction.

This is a curiosity because it's the only film directed by Mr. Caan.