(Possible spoilers.)
The test of whether a film (or any art form) is truly 'good' is surely whether it makes one think or not. I think that what divides films that merely entertain from the select few that really matter is the extent to which the viewer feels compelled to act after seeing it.
This, of course, depends on your view of the world; I guess that many people value films for 'escapism' or 'entertainment' and shrink at the suggestion that they might actually learn something.
'Missing' is certainly entertaining. I found it gripping from start to finish. Moreover, here we have a well-acted and directed film that engages with the real world. Be in no doubt that comfortably-living Americans are the intended target and Jack Lemmon's character is perfectly written and played to appeal squarely to ordinary, decent men everywhere. He shields his eyes from reality: his son and daughter-in-law have a different way of seeing things and are therefore worthy of his criticism; he values 'authority' and his country's representatives are people whom he thinks deserve his respect. Slowly, inexorably, tragically, he comes to understand how mistaken he is.
I think one of the most important parts of the film is when Lemmon's character is told that three thousand American firms have business interests in this country; as if all the dollars in the world can be set against the life of a loved one!
If, after seeing this compelling film, just one person becomes interested enough in the disturbing story of US involvement in South America to visit the library, search the internet, or buy a book, then the director has succeeded.
The test of whether a film (or any art form) is truly 'good' is surely whether it makes one think or not. I think that what divides films that merely entertain from the select few that really matter is the extent to which the viewer feels compelled to act after seeing it.
This, of course, depends on your view of the world; I guess that many people value films for 'escapism' or 'entertainment' and shrink at the suggestion that they might actually learn something.
'Missing' is certainly entertaining. I found it gripping from start to finish. Moreover, here we have a well-acted and directed film that engages with the real world. Be in no doubt that comfortably-living Americans are the intended target and Jack Lemmon's character is perfectly written and played to appeal squarely to ordinary, decent men everywhere. He shields his eyes from reality: his son and daughter-in-law have a different way of seeing things and are therefore worthy of his criticism; he values 'authority' and his country's representatives are people whom he thinks deserve his respect. Slowly, inexorably, tragically, he comes to understand how mistaken he is.
I think one of the most important parts of the film is when Lemmon's character is told that three thousand American firms have business interests in this country; as if all the dollars in the world can be set against the life of a loved one!
If, after seeing this compelling film, just one person becomes interested enough in the disturbing story of US involvement in South America to visit the library, search the internet, or buy a book, then the director has succeeded.
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