I've never particularly liked TV or movie portrayals of 'based on a true story' stuff before.
But since becoming a Peter Strauss fan, I've learnt to appreciate the good ones, at least.
The first point is to never compare a 'dramatic telling' of a story with the real account. That's why it always says "based" on a true story. It still has to entertain the casual viewers, which is an unfortunate but necessary part.
The second point is to not assume who the story focuses on. This is not the harrowing tale of a kidnap victim - Enough of those already exist and there are reasons of privacy why so little of this film focuses on what she goes through.
This is about the kidnapper himself.
I found this film to be quite fast moving. In part, this is because it's predictable... You know from the opening scene Strauss's character somehow gets caught. But what you don't know is whether his kidnap victim survives. You don't know what happens to the other people and no clue is given until right before it happens.
All the while, you're hoping for some kind of happy ending... and you never can be sure if you'll get it.
What makes this such an engaging film is the fact that events are real. There are, of course, some small factual inaccuracies - Partly through dramatic licence, partly through preserving the privacy of the real people - For example, the real life kidnap victim has always declined every interview request and just wants to be left alone. This film respects that.
Great to see Paul Winfield playing a role he's well-suited to. It's similar to the Lt. Traxler he played in Terminator, but with some surprising twists.
Robert Lee Ermey handles the subtlety of his role exceedingly well - An experienced FBI Agent suddenly out of his depth, yet trying desperately not to show it, faced with a type of adversary he has no experience of.
Samantha Mathis was interesting and realistic. She doesn't go through the typical Hollywood portrayals of people in these situations. She does what real people would do.
Of course, the show stealer is Peter Strauss. I've seen him play both outright good guys and complex characters who sit either side of the line. I've also seen him play characters where their morality could be good or bad, depending on your perspective.
In this, he's clearly the bad guy, but he plays the role in such a way that you feel you're allowed to like him. Perhaps even root for him, despite knowing how dark and repulsive he still is.
As always, his character is portrayed with absolute realism- Not the utter madness of a psycho or the hyper-intellectual of Hanibal Lecter, but with the intelligence and realistic subtle complexity of a real person. This is not a Hollywood villain, this is what real people are like.
And for a final surprise that will make you smile with satisfaction - The film makers save a well-played twist to the very end!
But since becoming a Peter Strauss fan, I've learnt to appreciate the good ones, at least.
The first point is to never compare a 'dramatic telling' of a story with the real account. That's why it always says "based" on a true story. It still has to entertain the casual viewers, which is an unfortunate but necessary part.
The second point is to not assume who the story focuses on. This is not the harrowing tale of a kidnap victim - Enough of those already exist and there are reasons of privacy why so little of this film focuses on what she goes through.
This is about the kidnapper himself.
I found this film to be quite fast moving. In part, this is because it's predictable... You know from the opening scene Strauss's character somehow gets caught. But what you don't know is whether his kidnap victim survives. You don't know what happens to the other people and no clue is given until right before it happens.
All the while, you're hoping for some kind of happy ending... and you never can be sure if you'll get it.
What makes this such an engaging film is the fact that events are real. There are, of course, some small factual inaccuracies - Partly through dramatic licence, partly through preserving the privacy of the real people - For example, the real life kidnap victim has always declined every interview request and just wants to be left alone. This film respects that.
Great to see Paul Winfield playing a role he's well-suited to. It's similar to the Lt. Traxler he played in Terminator, but with some surprising twists.
Robert Lee Ermey handles the subtlety of his role exceedingly well - An experienced FBI Agent suddenly out of his depth, yet trying desperately not to show it, faced with a type of adversary he has no experience of.
Samantha Mathis was interesting and realistic. She doesn't go through the typical Hollywood portrayals of people in these situations. She does what real people would do.
Of course, the show stealer is Peter Strauss. I've seen him play both outright good guys and complex characters who sit either side of the line. I've also seen him play characters where their morality could be good or bad, depending on your perspective.
In this, he's clearly the bad guy, but he plays the role in such a way that you feel you're allowed to like him. Perhaps even root for him, despite knowing how dark and repulsive he still is.
As always, his character is portrayed with absolute realism- Not the utter madness of a psycho or the hyper-intellectual of Hanibal Lecter, but with the intelligence and realistic subtle complexity of a real person. This is not a Hollywood villain, this is what real people are like.
And for a final surprise that will make you smile with satisfaction - The film makers save a well-played twist to the very end!