Hacia la oscuridad (2007)

Deals with 90 minutes in a kidnapped hostage's life, and the frustration his family, a special ops team, and a man in charge of delivering the ransom money all feel as they rush to save him.

Director:

Antonio Negret

Writer:

Antonio Negret

Stars:

Roberto Urbina, America Ferrera, David Sutcliffe

1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Roberto Urbina	...	Jose Gutierrez
America Ferrera	...	Luiza
David Sutcliffe	...	Charlie Bain
Tony Plana	...	Carlos Gutierrez
William Atherton	...	John
Alejandra Borrero	...	Marta Gutierrez
Fernando Solórzano	...	Umberto Pompeo
Roberto Cano	...	Pedro
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Juan Carlos Arango	...	Bucko
Alonso Arias	...	Sandro
Chantelle Bogue	...	Dying Girl
Carlos Humberto Camacho	...	Roberto 'El Lobo' Sanchez
Cameron Daddo	...	Victor
Claudia Degustini	...	Sheila Mendoza
Omar Diaz	...	Customs Official

Storyline

José Gutierrez, the son of a banker in Colombia, has been kidnapped. In 90 minutes, the ransom is due or he will be killed. In real time, and in flashbacks about each main character, we see José in New York with his girlfriend and back home with Luiza an old flame; his parents seek the help of an ex-FBI agent, and José's father's makes a bargain with the devil for the ransom money; the kidnappers also face problems. The suitcase of cash is racing to the drop, but traffic delays the driver. Armed operatives are en route to where they think José is captive. Cash, drugs, guns, bargains, soldiers of fortune, dispossessed farmers, family, and death: Colombia.

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Plot Keywords:

ransom | colombia | drugs | suitcase | special ops | 

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Taglines:

Sometimes even ransom isn't enough.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some strong violence, language, and a scene of sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

Spanish English

Release Date:

3 June 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

Towards Darkness

Filming Locations:

Panama City, Panama

Company Credits

Production Co:

Towards Darkness, Negret Films, Take Fountain Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Remake of Darkness Minus Twelve (2004)

User Reviews

A Film with a Messy Non-Linear Story with Terrible Camera Work and Edition

The Colombian Jose Gutierrez (Roberto Urbina) leaves his girlfriend in USA and travels to Colombia to visit his parents Carlos (Tony Plana) and Marta Gutierrez (Alejandra Borrero). Jose meets his former passion, Luiza (America Ferrera), and they date and go to a night-club. Then Jose is abducted and a group asks for ransom to his father, who is the manager of a bank. The insurance company does not honor the contract and Carlos seeks the help of KNRC, a company specialized in abductions and ransoms, and with the powerful drug dealer Umberto Pompeo (Fernando Solórzano). A commando seeks the kidnappers while a carrier heads to the Buena Fortuna Street to deliver the ransom money. Will Jose Gutierrez be rescued on time?

"Hacia la Oscuridad" is a film with a messy non-linear story with terrible camera work and edition. The plot has the intention to show how dangerous is the life in Colombia but neither the story nor the screenplay are good. The action of Luiza is absolutely unreasonable and incoherent giving a ridiculous twist in the plot. The car chase is awfully filmed and edited and the boring flashbacks break the tension of the lead story. My vote is three.

Title (Brazil): "A Um Passo da Escuridão" ("At One Step from the Darkness")