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52 of 53 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Whether you buy into its storyline of a crime that doesn't exactly go to plan or whether some of the events and twists seem a little far-fetched, The Disappearance of Alice Creed has at least one element that distinguishes it from the many modern British crime films - someone has at least taken the effort to come up with a worthwhile script that pays attention to characterisation and the mechanics of plot development.
That person is first-time writer/director J. Blakeson and careful consideration of who the characters are and how they develop over the course of the meticulously paced film ensure that The Disappearance of Alice Creed is constantly inventive and entertaining. And it needs to be - an independent production, shot on the Isle of Man on a low-budget, with only three characters seen over the length of the entire film, the action confined to only one or two locations where a young woman had been kidnapped and held for ransom by two clearly ruthless criminals - you're going to need some clever writing and plot developments to keep the viewer hooked.
You need more than a good script actually, you need good actors who can deliver it and make it work, and this is where the film's other strength lies - Gemma Arterton, Eddie Marsan and Martin Compston. These are challenging roles - not least for Arterton, who is brutally manhandled in the opening sequences of the film - but each of the characters have strengths and weaknesses that are gradually and dangerously exploited, shifting the balance of power between them on several occasions, and the actors prove to be more than capable of stretching to the dynamic that the roles demand.
There are certainly demands placed on the viewer also, both in the violent nature of the subject - mostly it's just the suggestion of violence, but no less intense for it - and in acceptance of some of the twists and revelations that don't stop until the clever placement of the final credits roll. Go with the flow however and this is a well-made film that manages to be gripping and entertaining and more than delivers on its promise.
That person is first-time writer/director J. Blakeson and careful consideration of who the characters are and how they develop over the course of the meticulously paced film ensure that The Disappearance of Alice Creed is constantly inventive and entertaining. And it needs to be - an independent production, shot on the Isle of Man on a low-budget, with only three characters seen over the length of the entire film, the action confined to only one or two locations where a young woman had been kidnapped and held for ransom by two clearly ruthless criminals - you're going to need some clever writing and plot developments to keep the viewer hooked.
You need more than a good script actually, you need good actors who can deliver it and make it work, and this is where the film's other strength lies - Gemma Arterton, Eddie Marsan and Martin Compston. These are challenging roles - not least for Arterton, who is brutally manhandled in the opening sequences of the film - but each of the characters have strengths and weaknesses that are gradually and dangerously exploited, shifting the balance of power between them on several occasions, and the actors prove to be more than capable of stretching to the dynamic that the roles demand.
There are certainly demands placed on the viewer also, both in the violent nature of the subject - mostly it's just the suggestion of violence, but no less intense for it - and in acceptance of some of the twists and revelations that don't stop until the clever placement of the final credits roll. Go with the flow however and this is a well-made film that manages to be gripping and entertaining and more than delivers on its promise.
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The Disappearance of Alice Creed (TDOAC) stars Gemma Arterton (Quantum of Solace) as our titular rich-girl who is kidnapped in order to extort money from her reputedly very-rich father. The kidnappers, two ex-cons Vic (Eddie Marsan - Sherlock Holmes) and Danny (Martin Compston - The Damned United) are seemingly extremely well prepared and motivated; fortifying & soundproofing the flat before bringing Alice there and tying her up, but the interaction between the three is not as straight-forward as it first seems...
TDOAC starts with a very snappy set of shots of the kidnappers preparing, the initial 5 minutes of the film are completely wordless which absolutely captivated my attention, dying for someone to explain just what was going on. The rest of the film follows suit well with the dialogue being terse, concise and emotive and the majority of the experience taking place in the munited two-room flat in a nameless part of Scotland.
The acting is unparalleled as the relationships between the trio develop; Arterton plays the distressed & humiliated daughter perfectly making you feel for the character, whilst Eddie Marson fills the role of the domineering, psychotic and violent ex-convict with great flair. The man-of-the-match, as it were, has to be Martin Compston who really gets to work through the full emotional range with his Janusian character adding most of the drama and intrigue. There are only three actors in this entire movie - quite a feat in itself - but you will never be bored with the story, this is the mark of great writing in my opinion.
[As an aside, I know of only one other film in recent history with this few actors, a favourite of mine - Sleuth starring only Caine & Law and based on a Pinter play, highly recommended if you enjoy psychological thrillers like TDOAC]
Extra content: There is a director's commentary that overlays the film by J Blakeson and also a making of featurette and a couple of minutes of extended scenes that didn't make the cinematic cut. The extras also include the original storyboards so you can see how the original vision made it to the silver screen, it's nothing unique and not a reason to buy the film on it's own but it's stood on the shoulders of a very good film.
I can't go any further without ruining the plot; but this film will keep you on the edge of your seat for the 98-minute duration as you are blindsided by twist after twist and left hanging in disbelief. The ending is open to interpretation but gives a broader meaning to the title and is a great flourish to an already solid film that will leave you thinking. Highly recommended for a tense & intelligent hostage thriller that will keep you guessing!!
TDOAC starts with a very snappy set of shots of the kidnappers preparing, the initial 5 minutes of the film are completely wordless which absolutely captivated my attention, dying for someone to explain just what was going on. The rest of the film follows suit well with the dialogue being terse, concise and emotive and the majority of the experience taking place in the munited two-room flat in a nameless part of Scotland.
The acting is unparalleled as the relationships between the trio develop; Arterton plays the distressed & humiliated daughter perfectly making you feel for the character, whilst Eddie Marson fills the role of the domineering, psychotic and violent ex-convict with great flair. The man-of-the-match, as it were, has to be Martin Compston who really gets to work through the full emotional range with his Janusian character adding most of the drama and intrigue. There are only three actors in this entire movie - quite a feat in itself - but you will never be bored with the story, this is the mark of great writing in my opinion.
[As an aside, I know of only one other film in recent history with this few actors, a favourite of mine - Sleuth starring only Caine & Law and based on a Pinter play, highly recommended if you enjoy psychological thrillers like TDOAC]
Extra content: There is a director's commentary that overlays the film by J Blakeson and also a making of featurette and a couple of minutes of extended scenes that didn't make the cinematic cut. The extras also include the original storyboards so you can see how the original vision made it to the silver screen, it's nothing unique and not a reason to buy the film on it's own but it's stood on the shoulders of a very good film.
I can't go any further without ruining the plot; but this film will keep you on the edge of your seat for the 98-minute duration as you are blindsided by twist after twist and left hanging in disbelief. The ending is open to interpretation but gives a broader meaning to the title and is a great flourish to an already solid film that will leave you thinking. Highly recommended for a tense & intelligent hostage thriller that will keep you guessing!!
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Two small time criminals have a plan: kidnap the daughter of a millionaire, hold her for ransom, get the money and disappear somewhere hot. Sounds like a fairly simple plan, doesn't it? It is, at least in theory. Of course very little is simple in The Disappearance of Alice Creed, a first rate British thriller which rises above the limitations of its small budget to deliver a solid tale with an outstanding performance from Gemma Arterton as Alice. I can't think of many actresses who'd put themselves through the things Arterton does here, and while there will be viewers uncomfortable with the aggression shown and implied towards her character, trust me when I say the victim is not who you always think it is.
This isn't a thriller in the sense that there's a police investigation into the kidnap; there are no car chases, no gunfights, no helicopters and no Bruce Willis in a dirty vest. This is about as British as it gets. Low, slightly grimy and with one eye on a better life. Highly recommended.
This isn't a thriller in the sense that there's a police investigation into the kidnap; there are no car chases, no gunfights, no helicopters and no Bruce Willis in a dirty vest. This is about as British as it gets. Low, slightly grimy and with one eye on a better life. Highly recommended.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
"..QUALITY BRITISH THRILLER.."
This is one of those rare films that keeps you sucked in right from the very beginning right up until the end! Read more
Published 1 month ago by S. Drury
It twists and turns like a twisty turny thing
I had read a number of very positive reviews about this film and was drawn to the fact that it was based around three characters alone. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Daveyf
A truly fine thriller
With a cast of 3, and no car chases or explosions, this needed to stand out on performances and script. Fortunately, it does. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Ken O'Neill
The Disappearance of an Intelligent Script
Ask me to name my top 5 British actors of the moment and the name Eddie Marsan will instantly pop into my mind. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Sam
alice
really good film, simple plot, low budget, but kept me on the edge of my seat, shows best of britisch film makers, well done, o and alice is gorgeous.
Published 3 months ago by nico
alice creed, crime thriller.
I'm just going to say that this film is a very good low budget British made crime thriller, starring Gemma Arterton , Eddie Marsan and Martin Compston. Read more
Published 5 months ago by road nomad
Gritty low budget kidnap drama
The opening scenes where two men prepare a soundproofed room, capture their victim, change her clothes and tie her to a bed are both fast moving and almost disturbing. Read more
Published 6 months ago by I. R. Kerr
a damn near perfect thriller
Much like the two kidnappers featured in the film, The Disappearance of Alice Creed , is methodical, efficient, and saturated with a frightening yet fragile confidence that begins... Read more
Published 6 months ago by bizmandan
Five stars especially for the last third of the film
I hesitated between 4 and 5 stars but finally plumped for the full 5 espcially for the high impact final third of the film. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Legal Vampire
Taut and real
In many ways, this is the "serious" version of Paul Andrew William's "The Cottage" (in which a foul mouthed Jennifer Ellison is kidnapped by two bumbling villains and it all goes... Read more
Published 8 months ago by J. Fernandez
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