I had my doubts, but now I am apologetic as Ron Howard manages to turn The Missing into just as much of a character piece as it is a western thrill-ride, but he is not alone when it comes to the credits.
The Missing tells the story of Maggie Gilkeson (Blanchett) who is living home on the range in New Mexico. The year is 1885 and her and her two girls, Dot (Jenna Boyd) and Lilly (Evan Rachel Wood), make due as Maggie is a local doctor.
One day, Maggie’s father, Jones, who abandoned her when she was a child and spent 20 years with the Apache people, returns to reunite with his family but is turned away by his daughter.
Only a day after she shuns her father away Lilly is kidnapped by an evil witchdoctor with mystical powers and her father is the only one she can rely on to help her track down the thieves.
With a stellar cast to work with Howard gives spotlight to the characters, letting their relationships and emotions guide the story just as he did in Ransom. The audience gets to watch as the hardened shell that is Maggie is broken down and she becomes closer and closer to her father.
The performances turned in by the young Jenna Boyd (Dickie Roberts: Child Star) and Evan Rachel Wood (Thirteen) are outstanding. The feelings they are able to let out on the screen are just as powerful as the hardened shell of a woman that Cate Blanchett portrays.
Not only in their words and dialogue are you able to see what each character is feeling, but it is something in their eyes that make you care for each one of them and you are able to feel what each one is going through.
Another aspect that gives the movie credibility is the use of the Native American language of Chiricahua. All characters in any relation to the Apache tribe were required to learn the language, including Tommy Lee Jones, and it is remarkable the power it has as it is not only used to give the film authenticity but a sense of humor.
The interaction between the members of the cast is so natural it is spooky as each one seemed to take on the role with such dedication that they actually became the characters they were portraying.
While The Missing is slow at times, as is any character driven vehicle, the result of getting to know these characters intimately is invaluable once you reach the ending of the film.
Cate Blanchett is being toted as an Oscar potential for her role in this flick but after the performances turned in by Jenna Boyd and Evan Rachel Wood these are two young girls that we must keep on our radars.
