“The Disappearance of Alice Creed” Review

This small British thriller does a lot of things really well for the first half of its running length.  Unfortunately, it is a little let down by some routine clichés in the final act.

I love the intricacy of the opening moments.  It is a terrifyingly detailed start as we watch two men set up an elaborate plan to kidnap a young woman and hold her for ransom from her rich father.  The virtually dialogue-free scenes are eerily intense as they purchase materials and build a makeshift prison for their prospective victim.  One cannot help but feel chills as the two men edge closer to the actual crime.

Gemma Arterton is a fine young actress who is going to be a star for many years to come.  She plays Alice Creed.  Her terror is palpable.  It is a courageous performance.  Whether or not we believe her fear is paramount to the film’s success.

I have to admit that the movie goes to places I did not expect.  I certainly didn’t see some of the twists coming.  However, the final act felt more like a tire slowly losing air than a bursting balloon.  “The Disappearance of Alice Creed” does all the groundwork and then simply peters out into the ether of mediocrity.  It had a chance to be one of the great low-budget thrillers of all time.  Instead it merely ranks as a good effort with a terrific central performance from Arterton.