The Disappearance of Alice Creed: terror flick with a taste of humor

Director: J. Blakeson

Producer: Adrian Sturges

Composer: Marc Canham

Cast:
Gemma Arterton
Martin Compston
Eddoe Marsan
Exras need not appy

A thriller turned into an almost comedy and the triumph of women over the minds and brawn of the stronger men in their lives. It might be difficul to find a man to enjoy the turns and twists of this solid thriller but women seemed unanimous in their enjoyment of The Disappearane of Alice Creed.

This is a violent film and yet it is funny, light hearted almost not believable but in the fun of it all, these otherwise important details don't seem to matter. Of the three cast members Alice Creed (Gemma Arterton) got the worst of the nudity and violence that rippled throughout the film because she is tied and gagged for most of the scenes. Her seemingly endless screams and squairming body would stay with me long after the film ended if they hadn't been upstaged by the most compelling innovative sounds, the music of composer Marc Canham that thundering with Dolby clarity filling the theater to capacity.

And then the silence, the long protracted moments of no music, just action and the men's voices and I knew then I was in the presence of genius. The genius of great music composers who know what to play when and when not to. Music that doesn't talk to emotions either present or anticipated but the use of deep bass tones like mellow velvet vibrations and other unidentifiable instruments that enhance and augment the thematic needs of every filmed moment.

Marc Canham, the composer, comes from a Game background so perfect for this film because basically The Disappearance of Alice Creed is a game of cat and mouse with many a playful gesture mixed with a deadly foray into the minds and methods of professional crooks, ex cons and the seedy sort that inhabits our immediate environment.

Thete was a tangible feel of humanity, of likeable features even in the crooks turned kidnappers. Surprsingly Alice, the victim was the weakest , least likable person on screen; (poorly cast; I thought her too old for the part). She was cruel, one dimensional, and pehpas less than a seasoned actor. But that didn't dampen my applause.

The Disappearance of Alice Creed is fun, playful, memorable.

Enjoy!