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Jay Craven's adaptation of Howard Frank Mosher's novel, "Disappearances", is an unusual, beautifully photographed (by Wolfgang Held, the same from the documentary "Metallica: Some Kind of Monster" - small budget is not a big issue when there's real talent and passion involved) western-style adventure that deserves to be discovered.

Kris Kristofferson has his finest hour as an actor playing Quebec Bill, a schemer who resorts to whiskey-smuggling with his son, Wild Bill (Charlie McDermott, "The Village"), in order to raise money to preserve his herd as winter approaches. They cross the border into Canadian wilderness, and embark on a wild, ghostly journey. Veteran, underrated Geneviève Bujold (Oscar nominee for "Anne of the Thousand Days"; "Dead Ringers") has a an important supporting role; the amazing character actor Luis Guzmán ("Magnolia", "Boogie Nights"), Gary Farmer ("Ghost Dog") and Lothaire Bluteau ("Jesus of Montréal", "Bent") are also part of the ensemble. "Disappearances" is an original, mysterious (the magical realism and metaphors make it refreshing and intriguing like a Terrence Malick flick on a cold day) film that doesn't fit in a single genre, for it dares to take a particular course and go all the way, faithful to its core. No apologies, Mr. Craven; your mission's accomplished, and everyone who experienced it with an open mind is satisfied. For those who didn't get it, well, it's their loss. Let them anticipate the next Michael Bay, and everyone's happy in their own shoes. 8/10 (a high rating for me).

I recently saw "Disappearances" at a private screening at my college. Jay Craven was there to offer some insights into the film and to prepare us for it. It was a small audience, mostly college students and teachers, the latter apparently being the only ones who "got" the movie.

Jay Craven's work is famous for its breathtaking visuals and ambiance, courtesy of the still relatively undeveloped Northeast Kingdom of Vermont (where I live) - and his latest film doesn't disappoint in this respect. What's disappointing about Disappearances is that it unwisely shifts its mood from that of the cold, hard realism of Vermont circa 1930s, and as the movie progresses, becomes increasingly focused on the "magical realism" that is tied to the back story behind its characters. While such an approach might have worked in the book on which the film is based, it leaves the audience puzzled and somewhat removed from the film.

There are elements of the film that do indeed shine, demonstrating to the uninitiated how Jay Craven manages to attract big names to his films with such limited resources (Kris Kristofferson is the most well-known actor in this particular film). The dialogue is clever and well-written, and there are quite a few moments, mostly in the first half of the film, where you'll be pleasantly surprised by Craven's ability to tell a story and keep a plot moving seamlessly.

In fact, had the entire film stayed true to the theme shown in the beginning of the film - harsh and unforgiving realism - Disappearances might have been remembered as one of Craven's better films. Unfortunately, it tries to do more with its script than the film can manage without overwhelming the viewer, and the ending seems rushed and somewhat terse. Disappearances might be the sort of film that improves with multiple viewings, but only a dedicated viewer will be able (or willing) to keep up with its inconsistent tone and pace and to find the deeper meanings that Craven hoped would be the driving force behind the film.

This well-meant film falls just a bit short, and unfortunately in too many areas.

The scenery is gorgeous, with vistas of north-central Vermont providing the setting for this mid-century tale. Quebec Bill endeavors to go back to his whiskey-running past in order to save his farm.

Going back and forth between scenes of magical realism and straight-forward action, this film rarely hits its stride.

Kris Kristofferson as Quebec Bill seems pretty stilted, or else it's his lines; or else his cross of Yankee and Quebecois accents. Anyway, he just comes off as a low-key blow-hard. His dialogs with Gary Farmer's Coville character do sparkle, though. William Sanderson's Rat Kinneson is solid. Charlie McDermott shows some real potential as young Wild Bill; but his part's not large enough to carry a scene and he never steals one. Luis Guzman shows up on Lake Memphramagog (with a fine stand-in performance by Lake Willoughby) as a monk with a boys'n'the hood accent: who knows? And then there's Bujold's Cordelia: an oracle like her namesake, she channels Yoda as she intones lines like "You will marry a Quebec woman!"?!? Just too weird and nowhere near enigmatic enough.

The end gets really choppy. Again a bad mix of magical realism and the concrete. And Yoda never provides an answer we can understand.

I'm amazed by the comments posted about this film. God forbid a director make a simple attempt to create an environment that is not 100% realism. God forbid a director enter the world of the super-natural and surreal. I found Dissapearances a wonderful film, perhaps Craven's best, if you actually do a little work yourself. My favorite question about this film is, "Well gosh. What the hell does it mean?" It means whatever the hell you want it to! What about the owl? What about Bujold showing up at random times? What about this. What about that? My God, have we gotten become so moronic by viewing the films of Michael Bay that we NEED to be told what to think and feel? The film is an adventure. Sit back and try to figure it out. Kristofferson gives a fantastic performance as does Gary Farmer, who is the dry comedic relief of the show. The photography is excellent, maybe the best Craven has had since "Rivers" and the editing is perfect. Give this film a chance and if you don't get it the first time you see it (which I did not)watch it again. You will be pleasantly surprised.

To be fair, I saw this movie on network TV, so it may have been edited, and I missed a few minutes in the middle of it. Having said that, this one's a turkey. The scenes are pretty, Kristofferson did well, and I guess the kid from The Middle was believable enough, but a movie's quality isn't necessarily inversely proportional to how believable or realistic it is. Likewise, a dull and confusing movie isn't necessarily a good one. I have the sneaking suspicion that the people raving about this movie either a) are the pretentious types who think movies that don't make sense are works of brilliance and whose pride won't let them admit they don't make sense or b) put up money to make the movie and don't want to feel they've been jobbed. On that note, at the end of the credits, it lists all the people who gave money to make the movie along with people who hosted fundraisers for it; if a movie is that hard to sell and has to rely on so many private sponsors, along with government money from the NEA, there's a good chance it's not any good. You know, now that I think about it, since some of my tax money went to fund this stinker, I fully endorse it myself. God bless America. If you're looking for a good indie-type movie, skip Disappearances and watch An Unfinished Life with Robert Redford and Jennifer Lopez.