Saturday, October 02, 2004

"The Forgotten" (2004) - Joseph Ruben

When I stumbled across the online trailer for Joseph Ruben's "The Forgotten" a few months ago, I could hardly wait for it to hit the big screen. From the intense footage and eye catching effects shown in the ad, I could hardly wait to see how much more must be awaiting in the full film. And was I disappointed when I finally saw the movie this afternoon?

No, I wasn't disappointed. I was livid! In a movie where people memories and lives were mysteriously erased, I was left hoping someone would extend me the same courtesy- erasing from memory the hour and a half I wasted on this film.

In most reviews, I would give you a brief overview of the movie. However, if you happened to catch the preview or the trailer... YOU'VE SEEN THE FILM! I will, however, site one scene often seen on trailers. Telly Paretti (Julianne Moore), the Sally-Fields-esque, panic-ridden mother, in her attempt to prove to Sam (Christopher Kovaleski) that he, indeed had a daughter. Her point is made when, pulling back the wallpaper, she reveals his daughters childlike wall paintings beneath.

If someone/thing has the power to erase memories and change entire lives in a matter of seconds (not to mention suck people into the sky), you think they'd have learned how to paint! Even if they had been able to explain away this discrepancy, this scene was spoiled in its constant appearance in trailers and previews, like all other significant scenes throughout the film. To add injury to insult, the film ends on an up note, as though the good guy wins, when in fact, that is far from the truth!

In the end, I have to say that this was one of the biggest disappointments in the theatre this year. Packed full of potential, its failure to delivery is even more of an insult.

"The Forgotten" should remain just that- Forgotten!