A Tour de Force

Rating: Null/10 (10 January 2014)

Denis Villeneuve's "Prisoners" is a tour de force. The film is languid, every moment exuding suspense enough to make you forget to breathe. And this is no journey for the mouth-breathers or the impatient, for it is to be savored slowly, and it demands utter surrender and rapt attention.
The film lacks any superfluous elements and centers around a few pivotal characters. Hugh Jackman is masterful in his role, Jake Gyllenhall does enough to be convincing and the rest of the cast do their bit admirably. The film is shot beautifully with the camera always roving a' la Robert Altman and some shots are really worthy of a Terrence Mallick comparison.
"Prisoners" is ultimately neither about the plot or the persons. It is a solemn recognition of the easily corruptible human nature which goes to great lengths to justify its means with its ends. An absolute dark horse of a film, and a rewarding experience for the patient viewer. 8/10