Where Are the Children? (1985) User Reviews

Moody, atmospheric thriller with Frederic Forrest a standout

[Aldanoli · 7/10 · 2 August 1999]

A moody, atmospheric thriller based on a novel by Mary Higgins Clark, with Jill Clayburgh in the lead as a woman-with-a-past who just might have murdered her own children. Max Gail (remember him from *Barney Miller*?) has a thankless role as her husband; but the real treat is that under-rated chameleon of an actor, Frederic Forrest, who will probably be remembered as the best character actor of his generation. Besides Forrest, the most memorable character here is the setting--a small New England village on a lush autumn day with a storm brewing. How wonderful it would be to have Max and Jill's house . . ..

Far too disturbing to be enjoyable.

[mark.waltz · 5/10 · 28 July 2023]

It's a quaint New England town, quite beautiful in the fall, yet a terrifying situation for two children kidnapped by a mysterious, obviously troubled stranger (Frédéric Forrest). Their mother, Jill Clayburgh, is a troubled woman with a past, and she's automatically assumed by the judgmental public to have drowned them. Obviously Forrest is up to no good, and as the film goes on, the insinuations of what he's up to become obvious. Nearly going out of her mind in frantic worry, Clayburgh is horrified that the townsfolk would believe her capable of such horrific things. Clayburgh's husband (Max Gail) doesn't know what to believe.

With an ensemble of fabulous chatacger players like Barnard Hughes, Elizabeth Wilson, Louis Zorich and Clifton James, this is a very well acted and extremely suspenseful thriller, and obviously there's more to the kidnapping motive than what the viewer might assume. Still, this is not an easy film to just pick up and get into, even with a powerhouse actress like Clayburgh in the lead. You have to stick with it patiently to understand everything that's going on, especially with the terror of the two children being kept locked up by the disguised Forrest, one of the creepiest villains ever on film.

Where are they?

[megan_chatterton · 4/10 · 27 November 2021]

This movie is straight out of the 1980s. The mother is ridiculous in her interactions. Everyone, not just the villain, appeared to be mentally ill. The entire movie was shot during a rainstorm, which furthered the craziness. There wasn't anything about the movie that was really R other than the subject matter.

Extremely Boring

[flen · 1/10 · 11 August 2000]

This movie is extremely boring and very slow-moving. It is also rather discontinuous and disjointed. The acting isn't terrible, but the lack of plot movement ruins any effort. Badly in need of better editing. The worst movie I've ever seen.