L'impossible témoin

I am a great fan of James Caan's work and when I found out about this flick I had to order the DVD from a dealer because no one was streaming it. I was not disappointed; this movie is a gem. First off we have Caan's performance, up to his usual high level. Then we have the minimalist approach of the filmmakers. Every scene gives the viewer no more than what he needs to know for the story to progress, and there is no excess emotionalism. Use of music is minimal. As a result the story keeps you involved from beginning to end. Also worth mentioning is the fine work of Kevin McMillan, an excellent character actor. I don't know why this flick isn't better known but it is definitely worth seeing.

Actor James Caan made his directorial debut (and, to date, only directorial effort) with this compelling, believable adaptation of a true story. Caan stars as Thomas Hacklin, Jr., a regular-Joe working man (at a tire factory). His ex-wife Ruthie (Barbra Rae) is now involved with Jack Scolese (Robert Viharo), a Mafia goon who squeals on his associates after an arrest. As a result, Jack ends up going into the Witness Relocation Program - and he takes Ruthie and Thomas's two kids with him. An understandably angry and distraught Thomas tries to track down his family, while doing battle with a rather uncaring government.

There's something inherently appealing about seeing this blue collar guy struggle to overcome the immense amount of red tape facing him. Caan is excellent in the lead; he's low key and convincing, and on those few occasions when the character gives in to anger, you can hardly blame him. The film also strongly benefits from its location shooting (it takes place in Buffalo, NY in 1967) and local atmosphere. Caans' storytelling is efficient and to the point. There's no filler here, with "Hide in Plain Sight" clocking in at a refreshingly succinct 92 minute run time. The widescreen photography is first rate.

The cast is stacked with familiar faces. Jill Eikenberry is immensely appealing as Alisa, the new lady in Thomas's life. The under-rated Joe Grifasi is likewise engaging as his good buddy Matty Stanek. And get a load of this assortment of supporting and character actors: Kenneth McMillan, Josef Sommer, Danny Aiello, David Clennon, Peter Maloney, David Margulies, Leonardo Cimino, Tom Signorelli, Charles Hallahan, Alice Drummond, and Beatrice Winde.

While watching this, one may rightly wish Caan had tried directing more often during his career. He clearly had a knack for it.

Eight out of 10.

I thought the naturalism of the settings worked well for Caan. It's got that gritty 70's look. It's also interesting to see a film shot in Buffalo, NY during that period. The extras are good and some of the hairstyles and fashions are hysterical. I thought Caan did a good job considering this was the first and last movie he shot. Jill Eikenberry's acting is very natural. The climax is not exploitative and thus is believable. Not played very much on cable although the topic is timely, I forget which station I caught it on fairly recently. The character is played well by Caan and I identified with the working class element. I was also wondering why Hollywood never gave James Caan another directing job, was it because this fared poorly at the box office?

James Caan is Tom Hacklin Jr., a Buffalo factory worker whose divorced wife Ruthie has custody of their kids and is dating a Mafia thug Jack Scolese who goes into a witness protection program after getting busted for a poorly-executed bank robbery. When Ruthie and Scolese disappear into the program, they wind up taking Hacklin's kids with them and from there on out Hacklin has little recourse but to plead his case in court or pick up what little clues he can find in ascertaining his children's whereabouts.

Caan is quite good here as a respectful, hardworking ordinary guy who finds himself up against a combination of bureaucratic inertia and determined government stonewalling, not to mention the Mafia's menacing presence. In this emotionally charged struggle, he rarely loses his cool. The film's only major flaw is a pacing that occasionally feels too leisurely for a story about an aggrieved father trying to find his kids, although eventually it does pick up and become quite suspenseful. Recommended.

Never saw this film directed by James Caan, who also appears in the title role. This movie must have gone directly to video because we don't recollect if it ever was released commercially. The picture has a "movie of the week" feeling to it, which could well be the reason for not having received a wider release.

The film makes an interesting point. Thomas Hacklin, a factory worker, has divorced his wife, but they have remained in friendly terms. We watch as Tom comes, at the start of the movie, to baby sit his son and daughter. Clearly, Tom adores these children.

His divorced wife has remarried the small time hoodlum Jack Solese. When this man runs into problems with the law, he is offered a release and witness protection in exchange for his cooperation in getting the principal mobsters in jail. When he complies and points the finger to the responsible guys, Jack and his family are relocated to Michigan. Tom, on the other hand, is not notified about the where abouts. Thus begins his quest for his own children.

James Caan, makes a good impression as the working class father. Jill Eikenberry plays Alisa, the woman who has settled in the area and loves Tom. The supporting cast is good. Robert Viharo, Joe Grifasi, Barbra Rae, Kenneth McMillan, Josef Sommer and Danny Aiello work well under Mr. Caan's direction.

This is a curiosity because it's the only film directed by Mr. Caan.