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List Price: $19.94 | | Label: Sony Pictures
Salesrank: 11426
Released: February 24, 2004 |
| Our Price: $4.07 |
| Used Price: $0.50 |
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MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
The Missing is the story of Maggie Gilkeson (Cate Blanchett), a young woman raising her two daughters in an isolated and lawless wilderness. When her oldest daughter (Evan Rachel Wood) is kidnapped by a psychopathic killer with mystical powers (Eric Schweig), Maggie is forced to re-unite with her long estranged father (Tommy Lee Jones) to rescue her. The killer and his brutal cult of desperados have kidnapped several other teenage girls, leaving a trail of death and horror across the desolate landscape of the American Southwest.
Description of The Missing (Widescreen Edition):
Cate Blanchett blazes through The Missing, a new Western directed by Ron Howard (A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13). The camera truly loves the planes of her face; even dusty and bedraggled, she radiates star power--which is good, because The Missing needs it. When her daughter is kidnapped by renegade Indians, Maggie Gilkeson (Blanchett) is forced to turn to her estranged father (Tommy Lee Jones, Men in Black, The Fugitive), a man who abandoned her as a child to join an Indian tribe. Together, they pursue a malignant brujo (or witch), who sells young girls in Mexico. The Missing features solid supporting performances from Evan Rachel Wood, Eric Schweig, Aaron Eckhart, Val Kilmer, and feisty young Jenna Boyd as Maggie's youngest daughter Dot, who refuses to be left behind. Despite the cast and some gorgeous cinematography, though, The Missing never finds its stride. --Bret Fetzer
The Missing (Widescreen Edition) Reviews:
Great movie! 
2009-11-23 - This movie is so mystical. Just like northern New Mexico. Enjoyed the climax at Ghost Ranch.
A Western in the 21st Century? 
2009-11-12 - My response to the opening moments of The Missing was surprise that anyone would try to make a Western these days. Definitely out of fashion. Yet, I stayed to see that Ron Howard and the creative staff did a fine job of working within the American frontier myth which has stood American media in good stead for more that 250 years. Despite a few concessions to contemporary political correctness (which, in the case of Native Americans, is called for) this is still Settlers vs. Indians. We should all keep in mind, however, that it is not the real Native Americans nor the real Settlers that have been the subject of these dime novels, live performances (Buffalo Bill and Company), stage productions or films, it is a set of archetypes included in a mythic story much the same as Jupiter, Juno, Mercury and Company were archetypes set in myths thousands of years ago. Not realities, but storied characters, carrying symbolic messages of enduring character for the peoples involved. I'm not much worried over the question as to how this interpretation stands up to the classics; it is a good version with the strong pioneer woman and the often restless pioneer man standing shoulder to shoulder to quell the forces of Evil, Christian righteousness triumphing over heathen paganism. Cate Blanchett does a fine job as the Christian healer and mother, Tommy Lee Jones does a professional, but not quite as convincing, job as her White Indian father, who deserted his family early in her life. The supporting cast is effective in their more stereotyped roles, save for the child playing the younger daughter, who does well whatever was asked of her.
My guess is that most will find much with which to be gratified in this latest venture of Ron Howard.
Great Movie
2009-11-05 - Great story set in the old west. Tommy Lee Jones and Cate Blanchett do a great job. Recommend to old west story lovers.
Frontier woman 
2009-08-01 - Cate Blanchett plays a woman living in a wild west frontier in New Mexico. She is a single woman raising two daughters on her won, earning her living as a healer. She has a lover who visits her often and takes care of her errands for medical supplies. One day, unexpectedly, her estranged father appers looking like an Indian. It is apparent from the start that their relationship is strained and that she does not wish him around.
It happens so that one day her daughters are being escorted to a city. When they do not return at scheduled time she starts searching for them, only to find all men kiled, her youngest daughter in shock and her eldest one missing. It is only at this point that she and her father make alliance to find her missing daughter and save her from being sold into a Mexico where she will be forced into prostitution.
What I liked about the movie is that it is one of the rare western movies where woman has significant influence over course of events. Cate Blanchett is tall, beautiful, and event in her frontier clothes she looks fashionable and put together. Tommy Lee Jones gives a wonderful perfromance as her father whose wondering eye kept him from raising his daughter and protecting his family. This is Ron Howard's movie.
A Good Western
2009-05-21 - I believe the casting is the best part. The actors fit the parts. A story about the Apache's raiding ranches in New Mexico and a mothers efforts to get her daughter back after she was taken. Tommy Lee Jones plays the girls grandfather who shows up after many years absence. Jones is very believable in westerns and should do more. Blanchett could do anything. Combine them with Ron Howard and you have a winner. The casting director should be rewarded as well. I recommend this movie.
