The Clearing (2004)

Director:

Pieter Jan Brugge

Writers:

Pieter Jan Brugge (story) and
Justin Haythe (story) ...

Release Date:

20 August 2004 (Spain)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller

Plot:

As an executive is held captive by an employee, it's up to his wife to deliver the ransom.

Plot Keywords:

Marriage Problems | Tense | Negotiation | Psycho Thriller | Kidnap

Cast

Robert Redford	...	Wayne Hayes
Helen Mirren	...	Eileen Hayes
Willem Dafoe	...	Arnold Mack
Alessandro Nivola	...	Tim Hayes
Matt Craven	...	Agent Ray Fuller
Melissa Sagemiller	...	Jill Hayes
Wendy Crewson	...	Louise Miller
Larry Pine	...	Tom Finch
Diana Scarwid	...	Eva Finch
Elizabeth Ruscio	...	Cindy Mack
Gwen McGee	...	Agent Kathleen Duggan
Sarah Koskoff	...	Lane Hayes
Graciela Marin	...	Graciela
Mike Pniewski	...	Detective Kyle Woodward
Geoff McKnight	...	John Dewitt

Also Known As:

Anatomie einer Entführung (Germany)

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Malaysia:U | Iceland:12 | South Korea:15 | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:K-11 | Germany:12 | Netherlands:MG6 | Singapore:PG | UK:12A | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Georgia, USA

Company:

Fox Searchlight Pictures

Trivia:

Based on a true story of a kidnapping that occurred in Holland.

Goofs:

Continuity: During Wayne and Eileen's breakfast by the pool, while Wayne is trying to teach the dog to jump in the pool, the orange juice level in her glass changes between shots.

Quotes:

Wayne Hayes: Do you love me?
Eileen Hayes: Yes.
Wayne Hayes: Then I have everything I need.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Anatomy of a Scene: The Clearing" (2004)

Soundtrack:

Here in My Heart

Kidnapping as Cross-Class Conflict

"The Clearing" is a taut, suspenseful kidnapping story.

But the tension is primarily ratcheted up not by action, but what we learn what stuff each of the characters is made of, particularly as to how superbly Helen Mirren and Willem Dafoe surround Robert Redford.

Ironically, Mirren's husband Taylor Hackford directed a more muddled take on a very similar story line in "Proof of Life," which couldn't decide if it was an action movie or a drama. Here first-time writer Justin Haythe and director Pieter Jan Brugge are more focused, even while playing a few tricks on the viewer with time-shifting "Rashomon" rewinds, though there are a couple of questionable holes in the story as it takes surprising directions.

It's a relief to finally see Redford in a role fitting his age, with an age-appropriate spouse and adult children, including Alessandro Nivola not playing his usual sensual snake. It's nice to see Mirren get to play an attractive, rich matron who can carry off nice clothes and hair styles as she usually hides herself in her roles.