Captive

Just saw this - wow! David Oyelowo and Kate Mara deliver powerful and nuanced performances that stayed with me long after the movie had ended. We are taken inside a terrifying situation, based on a true story - a woman, Ashley Smith, a recovering meth addict, is taken hostage in her own home by Brian Nichols, who is on the run, having killed several people already. What will he do to her? Will she get away? But there is so much more to it. Somehow I found myself caring also about this killer. Weirdly, in this midst of this tense situation, they develop a human connection that drew me in. There are surprising odd details - she makes him pancakes, he helps by putting up a mirror. Two broken lives, a terrible situation, yet somehow this is a hopeful film. Absolutely compelling.

Captive is based on the true story of a junkie trying to get her daughter back who is taken hostage by a killer in her home.

It's a moderately entertaining story which is helped greatly by good performances by the leads Kate Mara and David Oyelowo. The story does fall flat in places and there is a surprising lack of tension garnered from the situation. However the actors do there best with the material and this just about elevates the film above average in my opinion. Saying that there are enough good scenes to keep you watching.

It's nothing to get excited about but it's a decent enough thriller to pass the time especially if you have never heard of the story.

I remember see this on the news as it unfolded. It was a shocking and an incredible story. I think many will find it controversial. This film was very good and it was fascinating to see how she got through to the killer.

Ashley, the main character and hostage, was able to reach a core of decency (I was surprised he even had it) inside a man who had cold-heartedly murdered 4 other people. At the same time, Ashley was able to not give up hope and grow spiritually and strengthen her resolve to trust God. I can't imagine how she felt going this through this with her child.

I saw this film without knowing anything about Brian Nichols and his story and I enjoyed it. I then saw the low ratings and mixed reviews and i wondered why. I'd classify it as drama/thriller: the tension is present throughout the movie but the main feature is the development of the two leading characters. David Oyelowo's acting is solid but it's above all Kate Mara's performance that strikes the viewer with her portrait of a troubled woman trying to make sense of her life. The interaction between the two, ranging from violent to almost tender, is another leitmotif. I guess knowing the ending takes away a lot of the suspense making it predictable hence my summary line. All cast is up to the task and delivers nuanced work.

The movie is a must see. Very well put together. The scenes are intense and suspenseful. The movie kept me wondering what would be the outcome. Based on a true story it had moments that I wondered, how can any good come out of the tragedy in these persons lives, and then as the movie continued the inspiration came forward as a glimmer of humanity that gives light to redemption and hope. The lead actors were phenomenal. I recommend parents take their teenage children (13 and up) to see this movie and open up the discussion of the healing power of redemption in any circumstance. Loved it! Loved it! Loved it! Don't let a review from someone who has not seen it deceive you. This movie holds its own all the way to the end. It alienates no one and speaks to everyone.