Cast
View All
Ryan Reynolds
as Matthew
Scott Speedman
as Jeffrey
Rosario Dawson
as Nicole
Mireille Enos
as Tina
Kevin Durand
as Mika
Alexia Fast
as Cass
Peyton Kennedy
as Young Cass
Bruce Greenwood
as Vince
Arsinée Khanjian
as Diane
Christine Horne
as Vicky
Brendan Gall
as Teddy
Aaron Poole
as Mike
Jason Blicker
as Sam
Aidan Shipley
as Albert
Ella Ballentine
as Jennifer
Crew
Director
- Atom Egoyan
Producer
- Simone Urdl
- Stephen Traynor
- Atom Egoyan
- Jennifer Weiss
Reviews
Reno
**The message is to we be alert all time, no matter how friendly the society is.**
This is like an extended version of 'Prisoners'. Sets in a small snowy Canadian town where a ten year old girl was mysteriously disappeared and so the film focused on the life of her parents who are eager to see her even after 8 years past. The cops and parents, hopelessly look for any clue of her being alive. Happy or sad ending, that's what the film's conclusion decides. Maybe the director was inspired to make this by his previous film, which was similar and based on the real, but that ends differently.
Films like this scares if you are a family man. But I think if we keep watching them at the time of it comes out, it is to alert us about our family security lapse. No matter whatever the country is, how safety it is, as they say, still thing like this happens in an eye blink time. The film is really something big, I wanted to like it, but they did not make the film right.
Not a bad film, only badly made, that's all. The characters, the concept had potential and the development ruined it everything. Nearly 75 per cent of the film was a drag. Everything we wanted to know is in first 15 and the last 30 minutes. In between, they have wasted in the name of development, hence the film failed to impress as what it promised, not from the message perspective and that's the point.
Not all the actors were good, particularly Ryan Reynolds was the best. The remaining ones were okay, though Rosario Dawson was the next best thing in the film. I did not like the presentation, it was so random to move from and forth between in the 8 years time span, it totally messed the film. Not only confuses the viewers, it gained nothing from it. Because usually this kind of narration method used to bring twist and turns and audience to keep guessing till the final, but in this case, it did not work at all. Other than that the film was better than it was criticised, I still suggest it for the adults because of the film theme.
_6/10_
Sep 29, 2016
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, The Captive examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of contemporary challenges that mirror our own experiences. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Atom Egoyan brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2014, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of The Captive took approximately 13 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 112 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 134 minutes long.
- The screenplay went through 15 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 6 weeks before filming began.
Historical Context
- In 2014, when this film is released:
- Smartphones and social media had transformed daily life and communication.
- Streaming services were revolutionizing film and television consumption.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While The Captive shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike A Streetcar Named Desire, which focuses more on action than character development, The Captive subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Little Miss Sunshine and Sliver explore similar territory, The Captive stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: September 5, 2014
- Runtime: 1h 52m
- Revenue: $1,075,178
