THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ALICE CREED

UK, 2009, 100 minutes, Colour.
Gemma Arturton, Martin Compston, Eddie Marsan.
Directed by J. Blakeson.

The film opens in a very businesslike manner as two men set up a flat for an abduction. They go to the shops, are careful and thorough in their purchases and then proceed, very efficiently, to prepare the rooms as soundproof and secure. They do the same with a van. With the title, we are aware of what will probably happen.

When they do abduct the struggling Alice Creed, they bind her and put her in the back of the van and then tie her to a bed in the flat. So far, so effective.

It is the money they are after, not any injury to Alice, so they are also careful in keeping her hydrated, careful with the toilet although this is completely humiliating for Alice.

Then come some plot twists. You know that there will be twists – otherwise what is the point of a mere abduction and ransom story? It is trying to anticipate what might happen that keeps the audience interested and guessing – and prevents a reviewer from going much further in giving any indication of developments.

While the action is mostly confined to the three rooms and the focus is only on the two men and Alice, the photography and camera movement ensure that it is not a claustrophobic experience (except for Alice). Suffice to say that each of the three characters get a chance for acting and character development.

Gemma Arteton is Alice. The versatile Eddie Marsan (who seems capable of any kind of role, serious or comic) is Victor, the brains behind the enterprise. Martin Compston is Danny whom Victor took a shine (and more than a shine) to in prison.

Not the most cheerful of stories, of course, but well scripted and developed, and the characters behaviour credible in the situations.

1. The impact of the film as drama, crime, thriller?

2. The effect of the three-hander, the contribution of the cast, interplay?

3. The focus on interiors, the outside with the abduction, the end in the woods and the warehouse, the car on the road? The main part of the film inside, the effect, claustrophobic or not?

4. The use of wide screen, colour rather than black and white?

5. The title, Alice and her abduction, her disappearing at the end with the money?

6. The introduction and its effect, quick editing, quick pace? Vic and Danny, the range of their shopping, going back to the flat, preparing it for the abduction? The attention to detail?

7. The abduction, carrying it out, taking Alice, the truck, the truck prepared beforehand? Alice in the flat, tied to the bed, the change of clothes, her waking and her reaction, the covering for her head? The choice of Alice and the mystery about the choice?

8. The deal about Alice, her being tied up, hood, her being hydrated, the toilet use, food? Her feeling humiliated, by her needs?

9. Vic as the leader, age and appearance, long time in jail, the mastermind, his friendship with Danny, the emotional relationship? The power, the scheme, his ingenuity?

10. Danny, young, in jail, following Vic’s orders, the sexual relationship?

11. The detail of the room, the meals, the talk, the dependence on each other?

12. The daytime, Vic going out, organising the payment? Danny and Alice’s recognising him? Her boyfriend? Their talk? Danny and his overpowering Alice, her turning the tide, the talk, the gun, tying Danny to the bed? The reversal of roles, Danny overcoming her? His plan, offering to divide the money and kill Vic? Alice being tied up again?

13. Vic’s return, his discovery of the phone, the gun having been fired, the bullet hole, his suspicions? Confronting Danny?

14. Taking Alice, in the warehouse? The struggle between Vic and Danny, the gun, Danny being shot, going out into the woods, surviving?

15. Vic shot, Alice and her still being tied up, wanting the key, Vic and his dying – his decision to throw the key towards her, her efforts to get free?

16. Alice, walking out of the warehouse, her walking along the road, discovering the car, Danny dead, the money covered in blood and on the road? Her gathering the money, pulling Danny out of the car, driving away? Her disappearance?