The Disappearance of Alice Creed - A stage play adaptation that works

As far as I'm aware 'The Disappearance of Alice Creed' started out life as a stage play and was adapted for the big screen.  I know that this sort of adaptation can sometimes be hit and miss, but here I'm pleased to say that everything works perfectly.

Now that you know it was once a play it's easy to see how it probably worked in a theatre.  There aren't many sets or changes of location and even less characters.  Two men (Eddie Marsan and Martin Compston) kidnap a young woman (Gemma Arterton) and plan to threaten to kill her unless her rich father pays up.  It's a simple enough premise and a simple enough film.  However, what really sells it is the performances from the trio and the amount of twists and turns the plot takes.

I won't go into what happens, but expect some things that you probably didn't see coming.  Instead, I'll point out that the three actors front and centre all give stellar performances and you'll really be on the edge of your seat to see what happens next.

It's even longer than you might expect (and hour and forty minutes), but it certainly doesn't feel that long.  All characters make competent decisions and you shouldn't find yourself shouting at the screen and rolling your eyes because the characters have done something daft - not including the kidnapping of another person - that's pretty daft!).  The direction and soundtrack are both functional and nothing to write home about, but if there was too much fancy direction then it might take away from the seriousness and tension being built up.

A simple review for a simple film, but one that definitely deserves to be seen.

8/10 The Force is definitely strong with this one