MEMORABLE TWIST AND ACTING HIGHLIGHT "THE FORGOTTEN"
How would you feel if suddenly you were told that every memory you had of a loved one was just a figment of your imagination? After grieving for 14 months for a child you thought had died in a plane crash, your psychiatrist (Gary Sinise) and your husband (ER's Anthony Edwards), inform you that he never existed, and suddenly all evidence to prove them wrong - a scrapbook, photos, videocassettes and other mementoes had disappeared without a trace. Julianne Moore faces this horrifying nightmare in "The Forgotten", the latest psychological thriller that sends a mother down a desperate and dangerous journey to uncover the frightening truth.
Nearly losing her mind, it becomes a question of what is really going on and why, when Brooklyn Heights mother Telly (Moore) connects with former hockey star Ash Corell (Dominic West, Mona Lisa Smile) in the park where they both took their children. Ash happens to be another parent who lost his daughter in the same plane accident, but has no memory of Telly and also insists he never had a child. That is, until Telly goes to his apartment and tears away wallpaper revealing crayon scribbling on the wall, obviously made by his little girl. His memory gets jolted, but not before calling the police, when he thought she was crazy. This rude awakening causes Ash to join forces with Telly on an all out quest to find some answers, all the while being relentlessly pursued by the cops and National Security Agency who are hot on their trail. And that doesn't include an elusive and mysterious stranger who must have something to do with this conspiracy.
To uncover more of the storyline would be a spoiler that has unfortunately been given away in numerous other reviews and throughout the Internet. I, on the other hand, refuse to ruin it for moviegoers, like myself, who like some surprise. Lucky for me I went into the press preview screening of this flick with just basic knowledge of the plot and nothing more. Suffice it to say, I came out impressed by a fast paced and well-crafted story that delivers a few real jump out of your seat thrills.
Director Joseph Ruben creates a continuing build up of suspense and tension from a compelling script by Gerald D. Pego (Phenomenon). Memories of shows like the "X-Files" or the "Twilight Zone" are sure to pop up, as is references to the "Sixth Sense" tone with the visual and symbolic clues leading to a shocker of a twist, elements familiar to M. Knight Shyamalan's signature trademark. Of course it helps to have a good cast. Nicole Kidman was originally slated to play the lead, but Julianne Moore took over after the Aussie star backed out. No loss, since Julianne is superb bringing an emotional depth and control to her role as an unstoppable mother willing to go to any means to find out what happened to her child. West is equally good as her ally; a man who took to the bottle after believing his daughter was dead. They make a formidable pair with only one sharp detective, played by the wonderful Alfre Woodard, who tries to help by investigating on her own, but gets caught up and victimized when she witnesses a frightening revelation. New York as a backdrop plays another important part, as the intense chases takes us from the quiet, subdued and pretty Brooklyn Heights neighborhood to the darker alleys and towering skyscrapers of Manhattan. This creates a contrast of safety and home to the haunting image of and being trapped within something so much bigger, more powerful and confusing. There is also neat cinematography by Anastas Michos who focuses his camera on the characters from a birdseye view and lends a feeling as if someone is watching from above.
Some questions may be unresolved. Even with a few plot holes, the only real question that needs to be answered is this - does "The Forgotten" work as an entertaining psychological thriller? The answer is yes. It kept me on the edge of my seat right up to the thought provoking conclusion. Ultimately, it is all about the unbreakable bond between a mother and child. Everything up to, and including that point, makes The Forgotten unforgettable.
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