Abandon DVD Review:

Even though Abandon played in every theater around my neighborhood, I chose not to see it. It was marketed as a psychological mystery thriller, but I didn’t get that sense from the theatrical trailer. It was also marketed to the average teen audience and I don’t think a movie purporting to be a psychological thriller is able to connect with and draw in that particular crowd. Basically, these two things made me somewhat suspicious of Abandon’s quality, and, not to mention, the film’s dismal box office performance.

Abandon is very character-oriented and relies on them heavily. Its heart and driving force is with Katie Holmes’ (Wonder Boys) character Katie Burke, a beautiful and success-driven college student. Her ex-boyfriend Embry (Charlie Hunnam, Nicholas Nickleby), a talented young composer, has vanished some time ago. Wade Handler (Benjamin Bratt), a police detective, begins to investigate Embry’s disappearance, but instead his soon-to-come infatuation with Katie precedes his work.

Abandon plays like the kind of character study that, with a subject so beautiful, it is not only the supporting character who becomes infatuated but also the audience. On the other hand, Stephen Gaghan’s directorial debut fails to play like a thriller, because the script doesn’t provide enough “story” to sustain any kind of real suspense or mystery. Gaghan is known for his Academy Award-winning Traffic screenplay, which is why this follow-up is actually quite the disappointment.

The psychological factor in Abandon lies within Katie Burke and her failure to cope with the fact that the men she meets and grows to like (perhaps even love) abandon her. Katie Holmes’ performance and the way she carries the character really kind of entranced me. Her demeanor and looks were able to draw me into her world and feelings. Nearly every scene with her carries that sense of realism and connectivity, especially the “party” and “strobing” one. It might be strange to admit, but perhaps I have fallen for this character too, and perhaps Katie Holmes playing her made this work.

Abandon is a film that underneath is something worthwhile and entrancing, but as a whole fails to elicit any kind of suspenseful or mysterious response to which the advertising plays to.

6 out of 10

Abandon Video:
Considering the visual style of collaborators Stephen Gaghan and Requiem D.O.P. Matthew Libatique, the picture quality is very clean. The film itself holds that keen, voyeuristic look. Its movements, shapes and colors are carried out with great precision and make Abandon a terrific visual experience.

9 out of 10

Abandon Audio:
Clint Mansell’s low-key score connects with the feelings and ways Holmes’ character lives and interacts. Sound design and music cues are important in the film, hence the Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround sound track performed very well.

8 out of 10

Abandon Extras:
Commentary by Stephen Gaghan and Cinematographer Matthew Libatique - This track is very technical and interesting from the filmmaking point of view, but not very conversational for the average listener.

A Look at the Dark Side: The Making of Abandon - While it is typical EPK material, this feature is carefully written and edited. Cast and crew interviews are used well, but they tend to make an impression that is not necessarily true for everyone.

Deleted/Extended Scenes - The film runs only 98 minutes and these scenes don't add much to the overall feel of it.

Theatrical Trailer - The one I was talking about earlier that advertises something other than what the film is.

6 out of 10

Abandon Overall:
With such a likeable and beautiful, if not conflicted, character as Katie Burke, Abandon deserves a better screenplay. The film’s visual style and audio transfer performed well.

Overall DVD Rating: 6 out of 10

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