The Lost Son (1999)

Xavier Lombard is a world-weary private eye in London, in exile from his native Paris; his best friend is Nathalie, a high-class call girl. He gets a call from an old friend from the Paris ... See full summary »

Director:

Chris Menges

Writers:

Eric Leclere, Margaret Leclere,

Stars:

Daniel Auteuil, Nastassja Kinski, Katrin Cartlidge

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Daniel Auteuil	...	Xavier Lombard
Nastassja Kinski	...	Deborah Spitz
Katrin Cartlidge	...	Emily
Marianne Denicourt	...	Nathalie
Ciarán Hinds	...	Carlos
Billie Whitelaw	...	Mrs. Spitz
Cyril Shaps	...	Mr. Spitz
Bruce Greenwood	...	Friedman
Jamie Harris	...	Hopper
Hemal Pandya	...	Shiva
Billy Smyth	...	Boy No 6
Cal Macaninch	...	Martin
Mark Benton	...	Giant
Michael Liebmann	...	Peter
Joe White	...	Barman

Storyline

Xavier Lombard is a world-weary private eye in London, in exile from his native Paris; his best friend is Nathalie, a high-class call girl. He gets a call from an old friend from the Paris police department, now a businessman whose brother-in-law is missing. The missing man's parents hire Xavier over their daughter's objections, and quickly he finds himself in the realm of children's sexual slavery. He guesses that the lost son is dead and shifts his focus to finding and breaking this lucrative business of child trafficking. He involves a reluctant Nathalie to hunt "the Austrian," the shadowy head of the business. Violence erupts quickly, and Xavier soon has little more to lose.

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Plot Keywords:

exile | call girl | child pornography | mexico | corrupt cop | 

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Taglines:

Innocence isn't lost. It's taken

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Romance | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for scenes involving sexual exploitation of children, strong violence, language and some nudity

Details

Official Sites:

UIP

Country:

France UK USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

21 April 1999 (France)

Also Known As:

Az elveszett fiú

Filming Locations:

Felixstowe, Suffolk, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Arts Council of England, Canal+, Channel Four Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

Lombard picks up a Walther PPK pistol with the magazine removed. He cycles the slide and then inserts the magazine. Although it appears he was charging the weapon, all he has done is ensure the gun is not loaded (there may be rounds in the mag, but there is no round in the chamber).

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Connections

Features Sleeping Beauty (1922)

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Soundtracks

"Requiem"
Composed by Gabriel Fauré

User Reviews

" Enter the dark world of danger invites your best friend. What can possibly happen? "

This is a film called " The Lost Son. " It was interestingly directed by Chris Menges, and written by a trio of writer led by Eric Leclere. Although this story begins in London, it travels to several world locations. The hero of the movie is Xavier Lombard, (Daniel Auteuil) a soccer playing, chain smoking, Parisian Private Investigator, now living in London, England. He is visited by an old police friend named Carlos (Ciaran Hinds) who invites him to take an 'open and shut, missing person's case' primarily for the money. Lombard begins his search for the missing son, only to discover it involves a child prostitution ring, which put's his life in grave danger and reminds him of an unsolved case which took the life of his wife and daughter. The movie is a dark and sober reminder of the hidden world we live in and despite the exotic locations, serves to illustrate the unsavory elements which most of the world continues to ignore. Among the cast is Nastassja Kinski and Bruce Greenwood who is a surprising and interesting heavy. The movie is slow to develop, but with cinematic patience, one is treated to real gem and eventually a Classic for Greenwood. ****