The Clearing (2004)

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

Director:

Pieter Jan Brugge

Writers:

Pieter Jan Brugge (story), Justin Haythe (story)

Stars:

Robert Redford, Willem Dafoe, Helen Mirren

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

After decades of happy marriage and a life surrounded by luxury and wealth, Wayne Hayes, a successful car-rental businessman and his loving wife Eileen, are looking forward to a tranquil and comfortable retirement. However, the dreams of a peaceful life will eventually crumble like a pack of cards, when at gunpoint, Arnold Mack, a disgruntled former employee, will abduct Wayne in broad daylight right in front of his mansion in Pittsburgh. Suddenly, the life of the accomplished entrepreneur and seasoned negotiator rests entirely in the hands of his nervous, yet ruthless kidnapper who has nothing to lose and everything to gain. This is Wayne's most important negotiation in his life, nevertheless, has he the strength to succeed?

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Plot Keywords:

fbi | ransom | forest | marriage | negotiation | 

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Taglines:

You only really know what you have when you're about to lose it.

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for brief strong language

Details

Official Sites:

20th Century Fox [France] Fox [Spain]

Country:

Germany USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 July 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Secretos de un secuestro

Filming Locations:

Georgia, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$618,674, 4 July 2004, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$5,763,875, 10 October 2004

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fox Searchlight Pictures, Thousand Words, Wildwood Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Went straight-to-video in the UK.

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Goofs

When Wayne Hayes is approaching the top of the hill and it begins to rain, his right shoulder appears slightly transparent.

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Quotes

Agent Ray Fuller: Describe your husband
[Robert Redford]
Eileen Hayes: Six foot tall...

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Crazy Credits

For ALAN J. PAKULA

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Connections

Featured in Goedemorgen Nederland: Episode dated 21 October 2004 (2004)

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Soundtracks

Happy Birthday to You
Written by Patty S. Hill and Mildred J. Hill

User Reviews

Sophisticated thriller

My wife and I saw this movie at the Sundance Film festival and were very entertained with it. A wealthy businessman played by Robert Redford is kidnapped by a loser played by Willem Defoe. This is a very low key movie that lets the suspense build slowly until the climax. The characters are realistic and the plot is believable. Screen play has some twists which were not overdone. Robert Redford and Willem Defoe were both at their best. Wife's part played by Helen Mirren was one of the most difficult emotionally and she showed an outstanding performance. Overall the cast's acting was very good. If you like sophisticated thrillers you shouldn't miss this one.