Review of The Clearing

This movie had potential. It had a message. But it used that same old plot device to get this idea across. If it was in the context of another plot, maybe the idea would have been better. A businessman, who attains wealth and fortune and a former employee who is disgruntled over the businessman make up the two opposing forces in this kidnapping. Like a contrast between the monied class and the working class, we see each side as flawed, as human beings tend to be. The kidnapper is a weak, brittle man, who invokes little sympathy, because his weakness is not facing his demons appropriately. He instead posits his ills on someone likely more "deserving" for his agony, which happens to be a rich, successful businessman. On the flip side, the hard working businessman and his infidelities demonstrate that all the moral uprightness that he demonstrates in front of the kidnapper, he's weak himself.

I just wish this was executed a bit better.