The Disappearance of Alice Creed (2009)

Directed by: J Blakeson | 100 minutes | thriller | Actors: Gemma Arterton, Martin Compston, Eddie Marsan

Gemma who? That’s what many people wondered when it became known who the Bond girl would be in ‘Quantum of Solace’ (2008). The casting director of the James Bond film saw the young British actress in action in the play ‘Love’s Labour’s Lost’ and was thoroughly impressed. Gemma auditioned for a part and said she was surprised when she was asked to do a screen test with Daniel Craig. She felt very uncomfortable because she had not read the script and was being watched by an “audience” of sixty people. But again she managed to impress and the role of Bondgirl was hers! She left 1,500 others behind. From that moment on it can’t go wrong for Arterton. She stars in major Hollywood productions such as ‘Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time’ and ‘Clash of the Titans’ (both from 2010), but in between also finds time to play in smaller productions such as ‘Tamara Drewe’ (also from 2010). ) to undertake. With her performance in the minimalist thriller ‘The Disappearance of Alice Creed’ (2009) she definitely refers to the realm of fables, assuming that she is above all a pretty girl with a beautiful figure, and that she is asked for that in films.

Less is more, according to a famous English proverb. Writer and director J. Blakeson, who is making his feature film debut, has taken that advice to heart. ‘The Disappearance of Alice Creed’ largely takes place in the same room and is performed by a minimal cast. Blakeson immediately sets the tone with a ten-minute opening scene in which there is hardly any speech. He shows how two shady characters (the veteran Eddie Marsan and newcomer Martin Compston) meticulously plan the kidnapping of rich man’s daughter Alice Creed (Gemma Arterton). They demand a large sum of money from her family. When the plan is put into action, a cat and mouse game begins. The youngest kidnapper turns out to be less strong than expected and threatens to jeopardize the entire plan. Alice, on the other hand, turns out to be stronger than the kidnappers had thought. Blakeson keeps the tension going by treating his audience to some nice twists, thereby constantly misleading them.

It’s amazing that Blakeson manages to keep his film so exciting. He is heavily dependent on his actors, who do an excellent job. Eddie Marsan is an underrated actor who often plays petty thieves or losers in British arthouse films and crime thrillers. In ‘The Disappearance of Alice Creed’ he is terrifying at times. He contrasts nicely with Martin Compston, a first-rate nerve who seems a lot less sure of himself. Arterton exposes himself both literally and figuratively in a role that demands much more than you might think at first glance. Blakeson also keeps his film interesting through his camera work, which is never groundbreaking, but is so effective because of its simplicity. And that goes for the entire movie, in fact. With minimal resources, the maximum has been achieved and that can be called a relief – in a time of mega budgets and bombastic excess. With as little visual distraction as possible, you pay extra attention to how the story works. The grim ‘The Disappearance of Alice Creed’ is exciting from the first minute and (fortunately) never gets unbelievable. A small comment can be made at the end, which does not feel completely in line with the previous one, but does not detract from the film as a whole.

Most thrillers are characterized by a lot of screaming and little wool. ‘The Disappearance of Alice Creed’ does the exact opposite. With minimal resources, one hell of a film is delivered, which hits like a bomb thanks to a small but fine cast, excellent camera work and an effective build-up of tension. J. Blakeson couldn’t have wished for a better debut.