The Clearing ★★★ 2004 (R) Rich businessman Redford is kidnapped from his driveway by frustrated former employee Dafoe. As Dafoe leads Redford through the woods towards an appointed meeting spot with the other kidnappers, Redford tries to talk Dafoe into letting him go free. His wife (Mirren), meanwhile, finally notices his prolonged absence and calls in family and FBI. Redford talks to Dafoe about his wife; Mirren talks to an understanding agent about her husband. As the tension builds around them, the two reflect upon their importance to one another. Quietly suspenseful and full of interesting, fully fleshed characters, with a deliberate pace, beautiful acting, and a rewarding twist at the end. 91m/C DVD. US Robert Redford, Willem Dafoe, Helen Mirren, Matt Craven, Alessandro Nivola, Melissa Sagemiller, Wendy Crewson, Larry Pine, Diana Scarwid, Elizabeth Ruscio;
Director:
Pieter Jan Brugge;
Writer:
Justin Haythe;
Writer:
Denis Lenoir;
Cameo:
Craig Armstrong.
