Without a Trace (B or 3/4 stars)
1983's 'Without a Trace' (directed by Stanley R. Jaffe & based on a novel) is a stirring drama starring Kate Nelligan. Susan Selky (Nelligan) lives in Brooklyn, NY, teaches English at Columbia University, & has been separated from her husband, Graham (David Dukes), for some 3 months. Her 6 yr. old son, Alex (Daniel Bryan Corkill), is the absolute joy of her life. One seemingly normal morning, she watches him wave goodbye to her at the corner on his way to school 2 blocks away. But when she returns from work later in the afternoon to greet Alex, he never shows up; for he has disappeared ... without a trace. The police arrive and Al Menetti (Judd Hirsch) is put in charge of the case; trying to calm down a frantic Susan, in the process.
When Alex's father can't be located, Menetti suspects he has taken Alex in a simple, straightforward case of parental kidnapping. Susan's home is soon invaded by the police and, the press outside her abode is ravenous for a story. But when Graham arrives without Alex to console his bereft wife, it becomes clear that their nightmare is only beginning. Menetti, who has a 6 yr. old son himself, becomes obsessed with the search for Alex. Every lead is tracked. Helicopters scan the region. Even a psychic wants to help. But nothing materializes. Susan continues to believe - against all odds - that her cherished son is still alive. The community rallies around her; distributing posters. And she even goes on television in an act of desperation.
All the while, Susan's own mother finds it difficult to speak with her; and her friend, Jocelyn (Stockard Channing), advises that she seek therapy. It seems that only a miracle could bring Alex back. Kate Nelligan is outstanding as Susan, the mom who is sharp, focused, & hell bent on getting her son back; even while being devastated & woebegone. And Judd Hirsch's performance of Al Menetti is as moving & humanistic as can be. Despite his character's error-filled moves in the case - where there are 3 critical mistakes made - he continues to work closely with Susan even after he is ordered off the case. And his dire need to get closer to his own son on one fateful afternoon's excursion leads to the shocking breakthrough conclusion.
Not to spoil anything, but to err on the side of positivity, the moment when Susan turns the corner with her bag of groceries and spots a certain someone in the crowd ... cue the waterworks! It is one of THE most stirring, leap from your seat, fist-pump the air, & cry-it-out moments in cinema history -- and I mean it. I wouldn't call this film 'escapist entertainment' -- it's too downcast for most of its run time. But 'Without a Trace' ultimately pierces your heart in all the right reasons and, despite a so-so script, Nelligan's heartfelt mother who refuses to abandon hope makes the film as effective as it is.
When Alex's father can't be located, Menetti suspects he has taken Alex in a simple, straightforward case of parental kidnapping. Susan's home is soon invaded by the police and, the press outside her abode is ravenous for a story. But when Graham arrives without Alex to console his bereft wife, it becomes clear that their nightmare is only beginning. Menetti, who has a 6 yr. old son himself, becomes obsessed with the search for Alex. Every lead is tracked. Helicopters scan the region. Even a psychic wants to help. But nothing materializes. Susan continues to believe - against all odds - that her cherished son is still alive. The community rallies around her; distributing posters. And she even goes on television in an act of desperation.
All the while, Susan's own mother finds it difficult to speak with her; and her friend, Jocelyn (Stockard Channing), advises that she seek therapy. It seems that only a miracle could bring Alex back. Kate Nelligan is outstanding as Susan, the mom who is sharp, focused, & hell bent on getting her son back; even while being devastated & woebegone. And Judd Hirsch's performance of Al Menetti is as moving & humanistic as can be. Despite his character's error-filled moves in the case - where there are 3 critical mistakes made - he continues to work closely with Susan even after he is ordered off the case. And his dire need to get closer to his own son on one fateful afternoon's excursion leads to the shocking breakthrough conclusion.
Not to spoil anything, but to err on the side of positivity, the moment when Susan turns the corner with her bag of groceries and spots a certain someone in the crowd ... cue the waterworks! It is one of THE most stirring, leap from your seat, fist-pump the air, & cry-it-out moments in cinema history -- and I mean it. I wouldn't call this film 'escapist entertainment' -- it's too downcast for most of its run time. But 'Without a Trace' ultimately pierces your heart in all the right reasons and, despite a so-so script, Nelligan's heartfelt mother who refuses to abandon hope makes the film as effective as it is.