Point Last Seen

While this movie does move fairly slowly, that is part of its intention. It is all about paying attention to the small details of life. And the tracking of a lost girl is a metaphor for life, how we try to keep on the track of our own lives but we can all too easily lose our way. Linda Hamilton gives an excellent performance in the lead role and it is her acting and narration that holds the whole film together. Kevin Kilner gives a formidable performance as the psychopathic husband. Some reviewers complain about the flashback scenes, claiming they are confusing, but to me they were very clear and they added to the dimensions of Hamilton's character. This is not a classic movie, but it is a superior television movie and it is well worth viewing.

I have seen this film several times on Channel 5 in the UK in the last few years, and have found myself stumbling across it again today. It reminded me just how enjoyable (if you can use that word in this instance) the film is to watch. It's moments focussing on the different agonies of Linda Hamilton's character lead to peaks and troughs in the flow of the movie - making it a roller coaster of a film that isn't your typical.

Sure it has it's weaknesses-it is prone to it's corny moments, but I find that this adds to the enjoyment of this particular film. The voice-overs by Linda Hamilton also have the potential to irritate but I find them quite soothing/calming and they definitely add something to understanding her character. Maybe it is the accent!

I watched this purely because Linda Hamilton was in it, and the moment I found out it was based on a true story I knew it would suck. The entire movie follows Hamilton, she is in every scene and without her presence the whole thing would suck. Not that it sucks already. There was no excitement, no adrenaline rushes - it was just bad.

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.

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.