The Clearing DVD Review:

Successful executive Wayne Hayes (Redford) stops to get his morning paper to be greeted by Arnold Mack (Dafoe). Several hours later, his wife Eileen (Mirren) is worried that he hasn’t returned from work and has missed a dinner party. Contacting the FBI, Eileen receives a message that her husband as been kidnapped and she must wait for details. As Eileen waits frantically for information, Arnold escorts Wayne through the woods to where his abductors are waiting for him.

Screen legend Robert Redford doesn’t make many films but when he does you sand up and take notice but does ‘The Clearing’ have what it takes to steal you away?

A character driven kidnap drama always has what is takes to draw you in as long as the characters are believable and the motive for the crime is intriguing. ‘The Clearing’ only meets one of those remits. The final pay off, the whole reason for the kidnapping is a complete let down. It feels like the writer ran out of ideas and wanted just to end the movie. After all the exceptional characters work and performances by the cast, you just end up feeling extremely let down and quite disappointed.

Preceding this is a story that deserves a lot more. The plot and characterisations instantly draw you into both Wayne’s and Eileen’s plight. Told from both of the character’s perspectives, we see the events unfold before our eyes, during two different time periods. Eileen’s story is told in segments, we find out information as she does and wee see the consequences of that information. Wayne’s plight we see in a more real time format, as we see his journey through the woods with his abductor Arnold. This makes for intriguing watching, as we basically watch two stories unfold before our very eyes.

The performances draw you into their plights. Helen Mirren is superb as Eileen. She is an actress that can convey more in a look that most actresses express in with a whole page of dialogue. This is a woman going through hell but she is also a mother who has to appear strong for her children, even though she is falling apart inside. The role should get her more noticed in Hollywood and prove that she is one of the best actresses of her generation. Robert Redford is as good as ever, in a more challenging role than he is used. While he is the leading man, this is more of an ensemble piece so the emphasis is not all on him. As Wayne, he creates an executive that isn’t just money mad or even a bad person; he is just a man with money and therefore a target. This is the kind of role that Redford can excel in, in his later years. Willem Dafoe is as good as ever as Wayne’s abductor Arnold. These are the types of roles Dafoe was made to play and he makes Arnold almost tragic, as he reveals his reasons why he took the job.

‘The Clearing’ is a superbly acted and crafted movie that is let down by an extremely disappointing ending. After investing all your time in the characters, you expect a better pay off than this. While it might reflect a real life situation, it is the suddenness of the climax that leaves feeling disenchanted, as these are characters you really do care about.

Star Rating = * * *

PICTURE & SOUND

Presented in Widescreen 1.85:1 Anamorphic with a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, the transfer is very good. Pieter Jan Brugge’s taught thriller is vividly brought to life on DVD with a crystal clear picture, even during the night scenes. The sound has a strong emphasis on dialogue, which is needed for a character driven piece like this.

BONUS MATERIAL

Commentary by director Pieter Jan Brugge, writer Justin Haythe and editor Kevin Kent

This chatty and informative commentary track reveals many secrets about how ‘The Clearing’ came to the silver screen. The trio talk about the casting for the film, revealing that Robert Redford and Helen Mirren where first choices for Wayne and Eileen but Arnold was a lot harder to cast. They discuss the look of the movie, its drive and the different timelines in which it takes place. We also find out about how they developed the character and the acting styles adapted by the central cast. This is a good collaborative commentary that offers a fascinating insight in the film.

Deleted Scenes (15.25 mins)

Entitled ‘Agent Duggan retrieves Wayne’s shoes’, ‘Fuller interviews Jill and Tim’, ‘Tim checks up on Eileen & Eileen’s flashback’, ‘Failed drop off & alternative cut of the stream scene’, ‘Extra subway’ and ‘Wayne’s killing’, these deleted and extended scenes have optional commentary by director Pieter Jan Brugge, writer Justin Haythe and editor Kevin Kent.

Screenplay

You chance to read the full screenplay of ‘The Clearing’.

Inside Look (6.46 mins)

Take a behind the scenes look at ‘Hide and Seek’ and watch interviews with the cast and crew of ‘Sideways’.

Trailers

Previews of ‘I Heart Huckabees and Alien vs. Predator

OVERALL

Fox have done a decent job in transferring ‘The Clearing’ to DVD. The commentary track and deleted scenes are very good but it would have been nice to have seen interviews with the excellent ensemble cast. Fans of the film will enjoy the disc however.

DVD Star Rating = * * *

Jamie Kelwick

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