"The Clearing" is about a wealthy man (Redford) who is as tentative about his marital relationship as he is sure about being kidnapped. The film doddles through the usual stuff....woebegone wife (Mirren) summons family, ransom demands, FBI strategizing, ransom delivery, etc. while the kidnapper (Dafoe) makes small talk with the victim. All the while, we, the audience, bear witness to more filler than substance as we wonder if the victim will be delivered alive or dead. Nicely filmed and well acted, this flick amount to little more than the usual three star film fare making for a mildly entertaining watch. No cure for ADD but watchable fodder best saved for the small screen. (B-)
Review of The Clearing
