Frantic (1988)

In a hotel room in Paris, a doctor comes out of the shower and finds that his wife has disappeared. He soon finds himself caught up in a world of intrigue, espionage, gangsters, drugs and murder.

Director:

Roman Polanski

Writers:

Roman Polanski, Gérard Brach,

Stars:

Harrison Ford, Betty Buckley, Emmanuelle Seigner

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Harrison Ford	...	Dr. Richard Walker
Betty Buckley	...	Sondra Walker
Emmanuelle Seigner	...	Michelle
Djiby Soumare	...	Taxi Driver
Dominique Virton	...	Desk Clerk
Gérard Klein	...	Gaillard
Stéphane D'Audeville	...	Bellboy
Laurent Spielvogel	...	Hall Porter
Alain Doutey	...	Hall Porter
Jacques Ciron	...	Le Grand Hotel Manager
Roch Leibovici	...	Bellboy 2
Louise Vincent	...	Tourist
Patrice Melennec	...	Hotel Detective Le Grand Hotel
Ella Jaroszewicz	...	Restroom Attendant
Joëlle Lagneau	...	Florist

Storyline

A doctor and his wife go to Paris for a medical conference. While showering, his wife disappears. His lack of language, and the odd way she disappeared makes it nearly impossible for him to find any official help in his search as he enters the punk/drug culture to find out what has happened to her.

---

Plot Keywords:

doctor | police | shower | drugs | espionage | 

---

Taglines:

They've taken his wife. Now he's taking action.

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

---

Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA France

Language:

English French

Release Date:

26 February 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Búsqueda frenética

Filming Locations:

Lady Liberty Statue, Allée des Cygnes, Paris 16, Paris, France

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$17,637,950 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros, Mount Company, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Witold Sobocinski:  the Polish cinematographer makes a brief cameo in the early bar scene where Harrison Ford is asking about his wife (23rd minute). Sobocinski sits to the far right of the frame.

---

Goofs

When Walker meets with the two American officials in the US Embassy, the boom mic can be seen sneaking into view throughout the shot in the over the shoulder shot of the second man, seated at his desk. It is hidden by the man's profile and the knot of his tie, but as he moves back and forth, its silver shape is clearly visible multiple times.

---

Quotes

Richard Walker: You can talk about this in front of Michelle. She knows more about it than you do.

---

Crazy Credits

The opening and closing credits scroll over the streets of Paris.

---

Connections

Referenced in Vice Academy (1989)

---

Soundtracks

"The Song From Moulin Rouge (Where Is Your Heart)"
Performed by The 101 Strings Orchestra
Conducted by Wilhelm Stephan
Written by William Engvick and Georges Auric
Courtesy of Alshire Records

User Reviews

Quiet, but intense and quite excellent

The title does not 100 percent reflect the atmosphere of the film. Yes, as Ford's character rummages through a strange city looking for his kidnapped wife he does become "frantic", it is in a very quiet fashion. No screaming or fits of hysterics, but you can sense it in Ford's acting. Speaking of acting, this film is almost all Ford and Emmanuelle Seigner, very few of the supporting characters make much of a mark here. For me, the most intriguing part is the almost total lack of chemistry between those two characters. Though they are in most of the second half of the film together, neither one cares a rip about the other's wish (him=to get his wife back, her=to get her money). But if you think about it, how much would a young, drug-pushing European girl and a middle-aged, successful American doctor have in common anyway? Theirs is an inspired pairing, and a very good movie is the result. Watch this one.