THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ALICE CREED (UK 2009) ***1/2
Directed by J. Blakeson

A taut and intense kidnapping thriller, THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ALICE CREED pits three characters (there are only three in the film) against each other.  Written and directed by J. Blakeson, his first full-length feature, this is outstanding work considering the film’s small budget.

The film begins with the 2 kidnappers, Vic (Eddie Marson, the driving instructor from HAPPY-GO-LUCKY) and Danny (Martin Compston) preparing a flat for the prison of the daughter of a billionaire they are about to kidnap.  But Alice Creed (Gemma Arterton from PIRATE RADIO and QUANTUM OF SOLACE) plays one kidnapper against each other, while almost getting killed in the process.

Two things keep this film going.  One are the plot twists that come up every 15 minutes or so.  For example, we soon learn that Danny and Alice Creed were former lovers, then that Vic and Danny are lovers and so on… (not to reveal any other spoilers.) The story holds interest from start to end with the audience never sure what will happen next.  The characters are well written.  Each has his or her point of view, has the own reasons for certain behaviour and vulnerability even the nasty one, Vic.  One cannot help but feel sorry for Vic, nastiness and brutality and all when Danny, who he loves dearly betrays him.
But the film never clearly reveals the relationship between Danny and Alice nor the supposedly distanced animosity between Alice and her father.  That interesting plot point could have been dealt with further.  It is interesting to note that in the Robert Aldrich kidnapping drama made in 1972 THE GRISSOM GANG, the father who paid the ransom also had problems with his daughter.

Best of the three performances belong to Eddie Marson, whose every line sheds fear in the audience.  Violence, though present, is kept to a minimum.  The audience never ever sees real scars (of the binding) or blood for that matter.  From the way the script is written, the audience would more likely feel most sympathetic towards Danny, the indecisive rather innocent one, who, as in turns out, comes of age as the film ends.

This is good character study done in a well written and directed thriller.