A Knock-Out!

Rating: 9/10 (25 March 2014)

'Prisoners' has to among the most heart-breaking & powerful films from 2013. Its disturbing, harrowing & absorbing, all at the same time! Also, the ensemble cast pitch in incredible performances!
'Prisoners' Synopsis: When Keller Dover's daughter & her friend go missing, he takes matters into his own hands as the police pursue multiple leads & the pressure mounts. But just how far will this desperate father go to protect his family?
'Prisoners' is about love, loss, grief & cruelty. It covers many themes, all related to human-beings, with a sense of paranoia & bleakness. All the characters in here, depict sadness & courage, without any hesitations. Their journey together, is saddening, but extremely powerful, as well.
Aaron Guzikowski's Screenplay is heart-breaking, harrowing & absorbing. It delivers a haunting story about tortured souls with complete sharpness. Denis Villeneuve's Direction is excellent. He has handled the entire film, with amazing understanding. Cinematography is top-class. Editing is well-done.
Performance-Wise: Hugh Jackman is spell-binding. He portrays the horrified father of a missing child, with tremendous conviction. Jake Gyllenhaal, as the tough cop, is glorious. Terrence Howard is in form. Viola Davis & Maria Bello do their bits well. Paul Dano is remarkably credible. Melissa Leo is first-rate. Dylan Minnette is very good.
On the whole, 'Prisoners' is A Knock-Out. Two Thumbs Up!