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.

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Plot Keywords:

hotel room | espionage | american in paris | husband wife relationship | paris france | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

First film in which Harrison Ford plays a Doctor Richard who takes matters into his own hand when his wife is targeted by villains. The second one is The Fugitive.

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Goofs

In the airport scene with Michelle, Walker is terrified that the drug-sniffing dogs will find dope in their suitcase. Michelle assures Walker that there are no drugs, and the dogs walk by calmly. Walker seems to have forgotten that he's carrying at least a gram of cocaine in his pocket, which the police dogs don't notice either.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Sondra Walker: Do you know where you are?
Richard Walker: No, it's changed too much.

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Crazy Credits

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

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Connections

Referenced in Who? What? (2011)

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Soundtracks

The More I See You
Performed by Chris Montez
Written by Harry Warren and Mack Gordon
Courtesy of A&M Records

User Reviews

One of the stars is Paris

A great suspense movie of Roman Polanski in a Hitchcockian style. One of the beloved theme of great master is already here: looking for a vanished person. I think Frantic is one of the movies more successful through the films with the plot located in Paris. Polanski tells us the story with great suspense involving the city of Paris like a character of the film. All movie spends on the Parisian places and rooftops. The music of Ennio Morricone also is a great element of the film success that gives us a great mood. The characters as Harrison Ford and Emmanuel Seigne are superb in their roles too. I think a must see movie if you love great oeuvres of Hitchcock and you love Paris.

Details

Country:

USA France

Language:

English French

Release Date:

26 February 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Frantic

Filming Locations:

48 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Martin, Paris 10, Paris, France

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,359,424, 28 February 1988

Gross USA:

$17,637,950

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$17,637,950

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., The Mount Company (II)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1