Director Denis Villeneuve On 'Prisoners'

Okay, lemme just say 'Prisoners' is looking better all the time. I thought it was just product, simply a popcorn flick, albeit a well crafted one. Now, though, I'm thinking this could be one of the special movies of the year and can't wait to see it.

In the clip below Villeneuve talks us through a beautiful scene. I love the tonality -- cold, blue. Cinematography by Roger Deakins is, as you'd expect, lush and easy to watch, however it's the editing that really shines, makes this particular scene come alive.

Editors Joel Cox and Gary Roach often work together. They've spliced Clint Eastwood's 'Invictus' and 'Changeling' among others. Joel cut 'Unforgiven', 'Sudden Impact', 'The Gauntlet', and 'The Enforcer'.

HUGE SPOILER AHEAD

The story (script is by Aaron Guzikowski who did 'Contraband') resonates. There's so much energy. Really, watching trailers can put me on edge, but this clip puts you in the car, in the rain, and makes you wonder just what the hell Jackman's character is up to.

Don't watch if you don't want to know more. The spoiler is pretty heavy duty. How bad is it? We get a clue from A.O. Scott's review:

But if “Prisoners,” written by Aaron Guzikowski, upholds some of the conventions of the angry-dad revenge drama, it also subverts them in surprising, at times devastating ways. The easy catharsis of righteous payback is complicated at every turn, and pain and uncertainty spread like spilled oil on an asphalt road. 

Yeah, 'subverts' may be a weak choice of words as you'll see if you (choose to) watch the video. What I'm thinking is this story throws such a curve at the audience, goes in such an unexpected direction, digs so deep into character, into the human psyche, 'Prisoners' may end up being considered one of the best psychological thrillers of the year.

Reviews are very good and all have the same sly tone, like there's something sinewy and dark afoot. Movies like this don't come along often. Like I said, can't wait.

Real Violence in 'Prisoners'?

I agree with Hugh Jackman -- real violence is far more gruesome than the silly operatic fights in action or superhero movies. Still, I don't really believe 'Prisoners' will go there. Maybe, but I doubt it. It's just too ugly.

Jackman mentions a scene with a hammer. Really? This movie will depict someone getting hit with a hammer? There may be intense moments, very focused acting, but when it comes down to it I'm thinking there will be a swing, a scream, then a bloodied face (or hand or whatever).

An angry man of Jackman's size, stressed out, not thinking, filled with repulsion toward Paul Dano's (character), desperate to get information about his missing daughter, could easily destroy someone's face with a single hammer blow.

I do hope they deliver. We see too much prettied-up stagey fights and violence in movies. If a movie is going to go there it should be, in many cases, much more realistic. It's not about gore, it's about taking responsibility. You have to own up to what you depict. Say, "This is real. This is what happens when you hit or shoot someone. They don't just walk away. There are consequences."

It's disappointing, especially these days with the insane acts of violence we read about in the papers, when I see a fist fight go back and forth in a movie, with furniture being bashed over people's heads, and the next day one of the guys that was in the fight has a bruise under one eye when, really, he should be in a coma and, should he recover, would never be the same.

Jackman says it's more real in 'Prisoners'. We'll see.