By Ed Koch
“The Disappearance of Alice Creed” (+)
This film is a good example of what is referred to as a “sleeper.” It is fabulous — and although it opened about two weeks ago, I’ll bet nine out of ten moviegoers have never heard of it (and most of them never will). When I saw it last Friday night at the Village East Cinema, there were only a dozen people in the audience. If you like film noir, don’t miss this movie.
The cast consists of only three actors: Alice (Gemma Arterton), the daughter of a wealthy businessman, Danny (Martin Compston), who appears to be in his 30’s, and Vic (Eddie Marsan), who is about 20 years older and surlier than Danny. All the performances are excellent, especially that of Martin Compston — who could be Ed Norton’s twin.
The major locale is a tightly sealed, soundproofed room in a deserted building where Danny and Vic are holding the kidnapped Alice for ransom. The plot plays out like a drama on a stage. Danny and Alice are alone in the room for a considerable period of time, while Vic makes contact with her father — who is never seen. Alice is stripped, then dressed and manacled to the bedposts. The fear, humiliation and fury in her eyes will transfix you, the video of her pleading for her life will unnerve you, and the relationship between Danny and Vic will hold your attention. Every scene provides a new surprise — sometimes a real shock.
Henry Stern said: “I enjoyed this movie, and I don’t usually like crime stories. This one is very well done. The crime is meticulously planned and executed, although I can’t imagine how they thought they could get away with it. Danny’s nude scene is a demonstration of bondage and athleticism. Both kidnappers are thoroughly villainous. Once you make the customary suspension of disbelief, you will find the movie enjoyable and wonder what the ending will be. Wonder on, for truth makes all things plain.”
Rated R. Run time: 110 minutes. Now playing at Village East Cinema (181-189 Second Ave. at 12th St.). For screening times, call 212-529-6799.
“Cairo Time” (-)
A travelogue set in Cairo, this film is like a charlotte russe — mostly air and little substance.
Juliette (Patricia Clarkson) is seeking to visit her husband, Mark (Tom McCamus) — who is working in Gaza. She is in Cairo awaiting his arrival. When Mark is delayed in Gaza on business, his former assistant Tareq (Alexander Siddig) offers to act as her escort.
Having visited the Egyptian capital, I believe the movie could have been much more interesting. Juliette and Tareq visit the Giza pyramids on the outskirts of Cairo — but strangely the Sphinx, which is adjacent to the pyramids, is not shown. I took the time to climb up a narrow staircase to the secret burial chamber of one of the pyramids only to find a single, dimly lit bulb and an empty sarcophagus.
Hanging over the couple during the time they spend together waiting for Mark’s return is their clear infatuation with one another — totally unconsummated, not even a real kiss (only one on both cheeks).
“Cairo Time” is not a bad film, but it is not a very interesting one. It just doesn’t deliver, which isn’t the fault of the cast but rather the script. I kept thinking of the 1955 movie “Summertime” starring Katharine Hepburn and Rossano Brazzi. That similar-themed movie about unrequited love, which was a travelogue — in this case of Venice — was a much better picture.
Finally, the director and scriptwriter deliberately showed Israeli soldiers stopping a bus from Egypt as brutish. Totally gratuitous, I believe, intended to create hostility to Israel.
Pat Thaler said: “This is a film with wasted potential. What could be more entertaining and romantic than a love story featuring a mature woman on her own in an exotic location and a good-looking man with a delicious accent? Yet the script and the acting fail to make the story come alive, even with the streets of Cairo, the Nile, and the pyramids taking center stage. There’s no real emotion or passion and the film, for me, was a disappointment — especially because Patricia Clarkson is such a great actress and has, in other film roles, shown the depth of her talent.”
Not Rated. Run time: 90 minutes. In English and Arabic with English subtitles. Now playing at the IFC Center (323 Sixth Ave. at W. 3rd St.). For screening times, call 212-924-7771.
