Point Last Seen

Linda Hamilton is convincing as a search and rescue tracker searching the desert for a lost little girl. While the dialogue in many instances of the film left something to be desired, Hamilton's voice-over work when revealing the character's inner feelings and motivation was exceptional. In a particularly well-acted scene near the end of the film, Hamilton brings a heartfelt realism and poignancy that every mother can understand.

Kevin Kilner brilliantly played the violent ex-husband and kidnapping father that you love to hate. Kilner is usually a very pleasant presence on screen, which is what makes this evil performance so impressive.

Way off-the-mark were the flashbacks scenes meant to show the characters early in their marriage. While the premise was a good one, in order to help viewers understand the relationship and its origins, Hamilton's character was played by a young actress who looked nothing like Hamilton while Kilner remained in his character's shoes, looking not the least bit younger.

I caught Point Last Seen on USA one morning and, having little else to do, decided to watch the movie. Admittedly a sucker for drama (as well as the fine performances from Linda Hamilton), I was immediately intrigued.

The story centers around Rachel Harrison (Hamilton), a tracker searching for a missing 9 year old girl lost in the desert. We soon find out there is more to the story...much more. Rachel's own children are lost - kidnapped by her abusive ex-husband, Kevin (Kilner), whose only goal in life seems to be tormenting his ex-wife and their children.

We follow Rachel as she tracks down the missing girl, but also as she struggles with her past and her present. It isn't long before we realize that after years of abuse, Rachel finally had the courage to leave with her children. Unfortunately, Kevin eventually wins out and gains custody of their kids. It is a long and painfully emotional battle for Rachel to finally get her kids...only to have him steal them from her.

Honestly, this little movie is quite amazing. Although not an action/thriller type movie, it has its moments of keeping you on the edge of your seat wondering if everything...and everyone...will be ok. Linda Hamilton, as always, does an exceptional job playing Rachel. Her voice overs give us much insight into the character she plays and the emotional beatings she, and others, put her through. Kilner is menacing as the ex-husband and plays the role all too brilliantly.

The only real drawback were the flashback scenes. Although they gave much information into the history of Rachel, the person who played the young Rachel looked nothing like her (while Kevin looks the very same). This detracted from the movie a bit, but not enough to make it unworthy of a good review.

If you can find this one, and enjoy drama (particularly family dramas), then check it out. It's worth it for a Sunday afternoon.

Boring can most aptly describe this drama of sorts that follows Linda Hamilton as she preaches about why men are bad (her kids are taken from her abusive husband and she "learns" from this).

It's also quite corny, with bad voice-over monologues that are the sort of unnecessary, lazy techniques that Robert McKee preaches about.

Some work and some don't. This doesn't.

Hamilton has admittedly purposely done these made-for-TV movies because she wants to stray away from Hollywood.

She has succeeded - and they suck.

This was a good movie. Linda Hamilton played her part very well, but then she normally does. I liked that she played a part where she showed how very vulnerable she is to people missing, by her own loss of her children. Having someone kidnap your children would be awful, but knowing what the cruelty and abuse they are suffering at the hands of someone they should be able to trust is worse. I am a big fan of Linda Hamilton and have most of the movies she has been in. I am looking for this movie in particular. If anyone has a copy of this movie that they would like to sell or knows where I can purchase a copy please let me know.

Thank you, Pmertz1405

The young good looking fellow that plays "Skip the Rookie", I feel steals the scene he is in with Linda Hamilton. I thought the movie was very good, the down side was that "Skip" was not in any other scenes in the movie, nor is he credited. If anyone knows this guys name or if he has done any other work, please post it. It's young actors like "Skip" that make TV movies not just good but really, really, good!! I was struck that such a young and untested "rookie" could make such a "from the heart" comment to Rachel and that she seemed to understand his dislike for his brother, and that he truly would have done anything to help Rachel find this child or her own children..."Skips" performance really tugs at your heart!