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The peril facing a lone American amid Third World political turmoil is elegantly communicated in this important film from Costa-Gavras (Z), adapted by the director and Donald Stewart from Thomas Hauser's nonfiction book. The key to its power onscreen stems from the decision not to center the action merely on the disappearance of Charles Horman (John Shea), but also on the search for him by his father Ed (Jack Lemmon)--and on Ed's discovery of a son he never knew. The Oscar-winning script flows freely between that search and Charles's earlier experiences in the unnamed country (in the true account, Chile). Providing a link between those two stories is Charles's wife Beth (Sissy Spacek), who follows her father-in-law around a country in chaos, teeming with reckless authority and disinterested American diplomats (epitomized by ace character actor David Clennon). The film, which was nominated for a Best Picture Oscar and won the Cannes Film Festival's top prize, is certainly manipulative, but it works because of its finely detailed human elements. Usually emotionally extroverted, Lemmon gives one of his finest performances playing against that type--here, he's a controlled, intellectual man who learns more about his son, and his country, than he ever dreamed he would. --Doug Thomas
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Rachel Adams
Format:VHS Tape
As a young American who was not even born in the time when the actions in this film were taking place, this movie was one of my first real interactions with the subject matter. The performances of Jack Lemmon and Sissy Spacek take the audience on their characters' personal journeys which is a heart-wrenching tale of love and loss. It is a striking look at just what the American government may have been up to to try and protect its own interests. Costa-Gavras does a great job of showing the audience just what other possibilities exist and how you can't necessarily believe everything the government tells you.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By M. MacKinlay
Format:VHS Tape
Seeing this movie gives you a pretty good heads-up on what went on in Chile under Pinochet. Unfortunately, so many today who think of it as left-wing propaganda are the brain-washed ones. The U.S. government was involved in so many coups in developing countries and countries that were kept at a developing level intentionally. To say that this film is propaganda insults all of those who died anonymously during that horrible regime and many more like it.
A definite must-see.
A definite must-see.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:VHS Tape
My husband was born in Chile and his family moved to the US in 1975. His father was held for 3 years in one of the concentration camps. His mother made the children sleep under the beds out of fear from the soldiers. His father was one of the lucky ones to survive, not without the emotional scars to show for it. They have watched this movie and my husband and I own it. His parents have seen it only once, saying that they lived it, and can't bear to relive it. This movie is very real, and those things really happened. If you are at all interested in Chilean history, or civil rights, or if you are in the mood for an incredible movie, I highly suggest this film.
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4.5 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent film !!!
I really enjoyed this movie. Jack Lemmon is a very good actor and he proves it in this film.
Published 23 months ago by Richard D. Graham
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outrageous, unbelievable and true.
I have looked at the cover of this video many times and then put it down again-not being very interested in South American history. Read more
Published on Feb 18 2004
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Mighty Film! A Powerful Historical Statement!
Constantin Costa-Gavros is one of my favorite directors and film makers. In 1982 he crossed into the main stream with the Hollywood backed "Missing. Read more
Published on Aug 12 2003 by Jana L. Perskie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent!
This award winner movie is a masterpiece.It is the ture story of Charles Horman,US citizen, who disappeared days after a bloody coup d'etat in Chile during septemeber of 1973. Read more
Published on July 26 2002 by G. Aguirre-iriarte
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb movie making about a very sensitive topic
Costa-Gavras's "Missing" is compelling from beginning to end. The way the movie slowly unravels revealing the events that lead to the execution of Charles Horman, is exceptionally... Read more
Published on July 14 2002 by Derian
3.0 out of 5 stars
Decent Account
This movie, although with a left-wing leaning, is a good account of Chilean recent history.
However I didn't like how it showed that high class chilean were with the... Read more
However I didn't like how it showed that high class chilean were with the... Read more
Published on July 7 2002 by Pablo Morales
4.0 out of 5 stars
you mean this really happened?
Wasn't Kissinger and Nixon in power in the USA in September of 1973? This is a true story? Well that means that Kissinger really is a war criminal! Read more
Published on Jan 22 2002 by Frank Werner
4.0 out of 5 stars
you mean this really happened?
Wasn't Kissinger and Nixon in power in the USA in September of 1973? This is a true story? Well that means that Kissinger really is a war criminal! Read more
Published on Jan 22 2002 by Frank Werner
4.0 out of 5 stars
Caught in Political Intrigue
Greek director Costa-Gavras has made a specialty of selecting film projects with controversial political themes. Read more
Published on Jan 9 2002 by William Hare
5.0 out of 5 stars
MISSING is left-wing propaganda? Not by a long shot!
Based on the true story of Charles Horman,a young American journalist who mysteriously vanished during Chile's 1973 coup and was later found dead, MISSING is an extremely... Read more
Published on Nov 20 2001 by Erik North
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