Even
though Abandon played in every theater around my
neighborhood, I chose not to see it. It was marketed as a
psychological mystery thriller, but I didn’t get that sense from
the theatrical trailer. It was also marketed to the average teen
audience and I don’t think a movie purporting to be a
psychological thriller is able to connect with and draw in that
particular crowd. Basically, these two things made me somewhat
suspicious of Abandon’s quality, and, not to mention, the
film’s dismal box office performance.
Abandon
is very character-oriented and relies on them heavily. Its heart
and driving force is with Katie Holmes’ (Wonder
Boys) character Katie Burke, a beautiful and success-driven
college student. Her ex-boyfriend Embry (Charlie Hunnam,
Nicholas Nickleby), a talented young composer, has vanished
some time ago. Wade Handler (Benjamin Bratt), a police
detective, begins to investigate Embry’s disappearance, but
instead his soon-to-come infatuation with Katie precedes his
work.
Abandon
plays like the kind of character study that, with a subject so
beautiful, it is not only the supporting character who becomes
infatuated but also the audience. On the other hand, Stephen
Gaghan’s directorial debut fails to play like a thriller,
because the script doesn’t provide enough “story” to sustain any
kind of real suspense or mystery. Gaghan is known for his
Academy Award-winning
Traffic screenplay, which is why this follow-up is
actually quite the disappointment.
The
psychological factor in Abandon lies within Katie Burke
and her failure to cope with the fact that the men she meets and
grows to like (perhaps even love) abandon her. Katie Holmes’
performance and the way she carries the character really kind of
entranced me. Her demeanor and looks were able to draw me into
her world and feelings. Nearly every scene with her carries that
sense of realism and connectivity, especially the “party” and
“strobing” one. It might be strange to admit, but perhaps I have
fallen for this character too, and perhaps Katie Holmes playing
her made this work.
Abandon
is a film that underneath is something worthwhile and
entrancing, but as a whole fails to elicit any kind of
suspenseful or mysterious response to which the advertising
plays to.
6 out of 10
The
Video
Considering the visual style of collaborators Stephen Gaghan and
Requiem D.O.P. Matthew Libatique, the picture quality is
very clean. The film itself holds that keen, voyeuristic look.
Its movements, shapes and colors are carried out with great
precision and make Abandon a terrific visual experience.
9 out of 10
The
Audio
Clint
Mansell’s low-key score connects with the feelings and ways
Holmes’ character lives and interacts. Sound design and music
cues are important in the film, hence the Dolby Digital 5.1
Surround sound track performed very well.
8 out of 10
The
Extras
Commentary by Stephen Gaghan
and Cinematographer Matthew Libatique - This track is very
technical and interesting from the filmmaking point of view,
but not very conversational for the average listener.
A Look at the Dark Side: The
Making of Abandon -
While it is typical EPK material, this feature is carefully
written and edited. Cast and crew interviews are used well,
but they tend to make an impression that is not necessarily
true for everyone.
Deleted/Extended Scenes
- The film runs only 98 minutes and these scenes don't add
much to the overall feel of it.
Theatrical Trailer - The
one I was talking about earlier that advertises something
other than what the film is.
6 out of 10
Overall
With such
a likeable and beautiful, if not conflicted, character as Katie
Burke, Abandon deserves a better screenplay. The film’s
visual style and audio transfer performed well.
