Abandon (2002)

An investigation of a college student's missing boyfriend becomes quite strange when she begins to see him periodically.

Director:

Stephen Gaghan

Writer:

Stephen Gaghan

Stars:

Katie Holmes, Benjamin Bratt, Charlie Hunnam

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Katie Holmes	...	Katie Burke
Benjamin Bratt	...	Wade Handler
Charlie Hunnam	...	Embry Larkin
Zooey Deschanel	...	Samantha Harper
Fred Ward	...	Lieutenant Bill Stayton
Mark Feuerstein	...	Robert Hanson
Melanie Lynskey	...	Mousy Julie (as Melanie Jayne Lynskey)
Philip Bosco	...	Professor Jergensen
Gabriel Mann	...	Harrison Hobart
Will McCormack	...	August
Gabrielle Union	...	Amanda Luttrell
Greg Kramer	...	Andre
Gillian Ferrabee	...	Susan
Barry Julien	...	Ted
Tony Goldwyn	...	Dr. David Schaffer

Storyline

A senior at an elite college, already under severe pressure to complete her thesis and land a prestigious job, must confront the sudden reappearance of her old boyfriend, after his two-year, unexplained absence.

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Plot Keywords:

deception | panties | white panties | girl in panties | actress shares first name with character | 

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Taglines:

Watch who you leave behind.

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Romance | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for drug and alcohol content, sexuality, some violence and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Italy]

Country:

USA Germany Canada

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

18 October 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Abandoned

Filming Locations:

Australia

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,064,077, 20 October 2002

Gross USA:

$10,727,683

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$12,302,219

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Spyglass Entertainment, Lynda Obst Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Writer/director Stephen Gaghan marked his directorial debut with this film.

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Goofs

At the AA meeting, Detective Handler says, "I'm Wade Handler; I'm a cop." Last names are not given at AA meetings, to preserve the anonymity of those present.

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Quotes

Embry Larkin: [walking into the play audition] Okay, stop, stop! That was... appalling. Sopranos, this piece was written by monks who believed in God. They're singing not to other monks, but to God. They're singing to God about God. And you think I'm a tough audience.

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Connections

Referenced in Film Geek (2005)

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Soundtracks

I Changed My Mind (Stereo MC's Rattlesnake Mix)
by Max Weissenfeldt, Jan Weissenfeldt, Boris Geiger & Lyrics Born (as Tom Shimura)
Performed by Lyrics Born & The Poets of Rhythm
Courtesy of Quantum Recordings

User Reviews

"Take me with you"

"Abandon" plays out like a B-movie, but a very good one at that. It's not as polished as most Hollywood fare; it's gritty and dark, and I think this does the film a huge service (thought I was gonna say 'disservice' didn't you). 'Abandon' is at moments chilling and this is thanks in large part to Holmes performance. Katie has always had potential but it wasn't until just before she went cuckoo for Tom Cruise that she actually began to tap into it. The rest of the cast does a fine job as well. Benjamin Bratt does his best to stand out but doesn't fare so well. His scenes are smothered with Katie's commanding presence. Zooey Daschanel is funny and witty as Katie's friend Samantha and the beautiful Gabriel Union delivers as Amanda (although I really wish she had more screen time). The ending was great and left you in a state where you knew that there had to be a sequel.

Stephen Gaghan's script is tightly woven and, while not exactly mind blowing and or original it manages to strike fresh blood; creeping us out as well as making us think. The only problem with "Abandon" is how it is a little slow at the beginning, and the scene when they are drunk or high at a party, I felt that that scene was a little too much. The film follows a very dark and ominous tone, everything done in dark color schemes, voice's low and images grainy, and that adds to the mystery bound to be unlocked. So, all in all, if you don't mind that the story develops very slowly, and that some things don't add up, then you might like this film!

Overall rating: 7 out of 10.