Prisoners - How far will you go?
In preparation for the latest Denis Villeneuve film 'Dune', I'm currently watching/re-watching his previous films. I hadn't seen 'Prisoners', and now, having seen it, I'm in awe. Is it a great film? Most definitely.
The plot of the film is relatively simple. Two girls from 2 families go missing, and the father Keller, being the father of one of the abducted girls is on a mission to find his daughter, despite the cops attempting to do the same.
Prisoners certainly manages to depict a mood. The score, and sometimes, the lack of it provides for an authentic experience. Many times, the extreme silence of a scene speaks volumes, and even the sound design adds to the brilliance of the film. Every gust of wind, and wood creak makes you feel like you can breathe and smell the place, projected on screen.
Roger Deakins' cinematography is stellar as always. Of course, you have the gorgeous cinematic lighting. In a scene where a few citizens bring candles to pay respects to the girls, the light of the candle becomes the source for the light in the entire location. But even the scenes with full light manage to look fantastic. The light coloured walls of the interrogation rooms makes the place feel emotionally cold.
But the psychological quotient of the film is where it really shines. As the days and weeks pass by, Keller, the father grows more and more impatient. He tries to do his own private investigation parallel to the police. And this emotionally makes sense, but also works on a screenwriting level as you have an active protagonist who's actively engaging his want, which progresses the plot forward.
Not only does the plot progress, but so does his character. From the opening scene of the movie, Keller is set-up as a religious man. Throughout the film, his belief and character as a moral human being is tested. When he tries to vigorously get information out of a suspect, we really see what he is capable of. In each interrogation, Keller becomes more of a heartless monster. His methods become more extreme by the minute, and his mental state starts to heavily decay.
But every time I feel distant towards Keller, the film reminds me why he's doing this, and why its emotionally justified, making me feel empathetic towards him once again. The other protagonist of the story is Detective Loki, played masterfully by Jake Gyllenhaal. His morals are tested as well, and we see he's willing to bend the rules in order to achieve his want. Loki is a detective who has never lost one case, and so the difficulties of this particular case also challenge his position.
Even the title 'Prisoners' is a smart choice for a title, because the characters are Prisoners to the situation they're faced with, and to their own deteriorating mental state. This film not only has impeccable technical feats, but also has en engaging story that has complex characters whose beliefs are tested to the core, showing us who they really are, and how far they're willing to achieve what they want.
Thank Your for Reading
I hope you liked this blog review, please make sure to comment about your thoughts on the film, or on how I could possibly improve. Also follow my YouTube Channel "Detox with P-Talks Official" where I analyse movies and do other movie related content along with short films, etc.
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