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| The Forgotten | 
| Category: Movie
This item is no longer available
Avg. Customer Rating:  278 reviews
Sales Rank: 7288
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: Video On Demand
Running Time: 95 minutes
ASIN: B000T4349G
Theatrical Release Date: September 23, 2004
Release Date: November 25, 2008 (New: Last 30 Days)
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| Customer Reviews:
 a good thriler October 12, 2004
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
the forgotten is the best thriller sence the six sence.this movie will make you jump a lot.this movie was vary suspenceful.but it ended sort of weird.if you like movies from night shamalan that you never guess how it will end then you will like this movie.
here's a good analogy for this movie: October 11, 2004
2 out of 6 found this review helpful
Ever shake a bottle of soda up really hard? I mean really shake it, hard, fast, with the purest intent of an explosion on some poor unsuspecting sap? You shake & shake & shake, giddy with anticipation for the oh so delicious moment of spraying everything & everyone around you, and you finally remove the cap.......and ....... NOTHING......... COMES......... OUT... maybe a little vapor.... THAT, my friends, is The Forgotten... I think I've already forgotten it! I guess it worked...
See this film IF October 8, 2004
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
You're safe reading this review if you haven't seen the movie yet.
If you understand the bond between young people and the people who care for them directly, this will be a good thriller for you to watch. If you have heart problems, take your medication - the one potential flaw of The Forbidden is that the moments that scare you are thrust upon you. I don't scare easily and they got me about four times. It's because they don't have that leading something-is-about-to-happen music before they smack you in the face with excitement.
If you're not into metaphysical theory, or at home with a kind of light X-file-ish explanation for an event, then you better skip this. It's not for people who like life in little pretty packages and believe only in things they see.
But if you can suspend your disbelief in certain supernatural things. If you have seen any of the trailers, you know going in that some things will happen in The Forbidden that may not take place in real life.
Should you go into the movie prepared for that, and you like thrillers, you'll be entertained.
One star off for a less than spectacular ending, though it was decent enough.
A thriller that had me in its grip the whole way through October 7, 2004
5 out of 8 found this review helpful
I hate to sound like a PTA lady or something, but you just cannot know certain emotions until you have experienced your own children. Lest you scoff, I used to roll my eyes when people would wax sentimental about their kids. But this really is a different ball game my friends, and until you have felt that peculiar pull in your chest as the chubby hand of your toddler grips your index finger to cross the street, you just won't get it. For that same reason, (I believe) the movie The Forgotten won't be experienced the same way by childless people as it will by parents.
The following is all information that was previously given away in the theatrical trailers: Telly (Julianne Moore) has been grieving for her son Sam for 14 months now, following his death in a plane crash. Imagine how she is simply unable to accept her therapist's sudden diagnosis one day that Sam was a figment of her imagination; in fact, her husband, friends, everybody in her life sincerely claims he never existed. There are no pictures, no records of his birth, his life, or the crash. You will begin to wonder along with Telly if she isn't crazy, that is until she meets another parent of a child in that same crash whom she convinces to remember his daughter, using undeniable physical proof. Obviously two strangers don't normally share in the same elaborate delusion, so some kind of conspiracy must be going on...but why, and how is it *humanly* possible?
Julianne Moore, who only gets more attractive with time, was the flawless choice for the lead in this film. She so convincingly portrays a grieving mom who just can't let go that my throat was tight with sympathy throughout half the film. Played by unknown Dominic West, the only other parent she locates is an alcoholic who is punishing himself for forgetting the most precious person in his life. One of my favorite (and underutilized) actors, Gary Sinise, was a natural for Telly's therapist, although his role was somewhat minimized. I have noticed that very few critics have been able to fault any of the leads in The Forgotten despite what other misgivings they may have.
And what misgivings are we talking about exactly? More or less, they were disappointed that there was a Sci Fi explanation for the events of Sam's disappearance. It would seem that naysayers would have preferred find out that the whole thing was a delusion or a mundane government conspiracy. Given the info that we all got from the trailer (see above), those really weren't logical options, now were they? You may now picture me shaking my head sadly as I confront the critical ones with a Tsk Tsk, and "Weren't you paying attention?"
The secondary strength of The Forgotten was its themes. Explored here are the strength of the parent/child bond, questions on the relativity of reality, and the place of humankind in the greater scheme of things. Not easy material to cram into less than two hours, but handled nicely in this story. Applause also goes out to the art direction and sound editing. The depth of emotional response was underscored deftly by DTS. This is one to see with the full advantage of a loaded sound system. Without giving too much away, trust me: you will appreciate those moments of pure physical thrill that a good sound format can highlight so effectively.
Perhaps this film would not have affected me so viscerally if I had not been a parent. Perhaps therefore non-parents cannot be blamed for getting less out of it, as much of its effectiveness relies on empathy with Telly and Ash. Still, there are many other worthwhile reasons to see The Forgotten, and I humbly hope that I have just explained why. Recommended.
-Andrea, aka Merribelle
Watchers in the Woods. October 7, 2004
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
THE FORGOTTEN opens with a high camera angle sweeping over a body of water that appears like a frosted glass window as the opening credits scatter by. Quickly moving from the rippling water to the speckled land dotted with glass-filled skyscrapers, the opening scene suggests that in THE FORGOTTEN things aren't quite what they appear to be, foreshadowing the possibility that perhaps we are being watched, seeing ourselves but as a poor reflection in a mirror. With such a symbolic opening, the audience is misled to believe that THE FORGOTTEN is a movie filled with substance and importance or a great achievement in cinematic art. Unfortunately, THE FORGOTTEN is none of these. Instead, it's a twisted mix between a psychological thriller and a cheap science fiction flick that seems more like a bad episode of The X-Files rather than a full length motion picture.
THE FORGOTTEN stars Julianne Moore as Telly Paretta, a mother still mourning over the accidental death of her eight-year-old son, Sam, nearly a year and a half after he was killed in a plane crash. Since the tragic death, Telly has withdrawn from the world. She no longer meets with her friends and her marriage to Jim (Anthony Edwards) is strained to the point of collapse. Dr. Jack Munce (Gary Sinise) has been trying to help her work through her pain and overcome her grief. After a fixing a quiet dinner at home with Jim, making a self-deprecating joke, and revealing that she has decided to return to her editing job it appears that Telly's life is making a turnaround. But like Alice in Wonderland, Telly is actually on the edge of a rabbit hole leading to the unbelievable.
It starts with simple things. She forgets where she parks her car. While talking with Dr. Munce she thinks she was drinking a cup of coffee when apparently she really wasn't. When she returns home she discovers that all the pictures of Sam (placed strategically throughout the house so she would never forget) have been replaced. While editing a new book, Telly begins her daily ritual of relaxation of feeling Sam's hat, sniffing his glove, and looking through family pictures. But to her horror she discovers there are no pictures. Instead of the warm and peaceful gaze of the child she has lost, she is greeted with the cold and white gaze of empty pages from a photo album. Dr. Munce and Jim tell her Sam never existed and for the past nine years she has been delusional. Telly runs away and sets forth to prove her sanity. She meets up with the father of one of Sam's friends, Ash Correll (Dominic West), and after a night of mental and emotional turmoil, the two join forces to discover the truth. What that truth is, I can't really say without giving away the ending. However, like Fox Mulder used to say in The X-Files, "The truth is out there."
The central core of the movie revolves around Telly's love for Sam. There are some who would argue that the theme of the movie runs deeper than that, suggesting that THE FORGOTTEN is a cleverly crafted political movie against abortion disguised as a psychological sci-fi thriller or that the movie is a brilliantly choreographed piece of feminist cinema clearly illustrating that women are better people than men. Though there are slight elements in the film that could lead one to believe such an interpretation they are so miniscule that such analysis of the film is reading too much into something that's not really there. THE FORGOTTEN is a psychological sci-fi thriller revolving around a mother's love for her son. No more. No less.
Director Joseph Ruben has directed a handful of films (including the fairly successful SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY and MONEY TRAIN), but has received very little recognition. Bringing together a diverse and talented cast to star in a weak psychological sci-fi thriller while keeping their performances believable is not an easy task and Ruben did a fine job. There are also some interesting special effects that Ruben was able to maximize as much as possible given the limited material. He was assisted by cinematographer Anastas N. Michos (MONA LISA SMILE, MAN ON THE MOON). Michos' cameras are often carefully hidden behind staircase railings and park bushes, perfectly capturing the suspenseful and voyeuristic tone begun in the opening credits.
The acting in the movie is somewhat impressive. Julianne Moore has become a powerhouse performer over the last several years. Her very presence in a picture makes even the most pointless movies (EVOLUTION for example) not only bearable, but somewhat enjoyable and her talent shines through in THE FORGOTTEN. Grieving mothers aren't easy to portray and actresses usually either give a melodramatic, maniacal, over-the-top performance or an interpretation so full of sappy sadness that it could bring a tear to an undertaker. Moore steers away from both of those extremes and instead, beautifully captures all the nuances of a grief-stricken mother fighting against the world in a very realistic and believable manner. Moore is the thread that holds the movie together and without her the movie would be totally forgettable.
Dominic West is just as believable as a father caught in a raging battle with alcoholism that threatens to steal him of his most precious and happy memories. West is an underrated actor who despite a few memorable minor roles (Bill Dunbar in MONA LISA SMILE, Fred Casely in CHICAGO) really hasn't been noticed by the Hollywood establishment. THE FORGOTTEN could turn out to be the movie that makes his career.
Gary Sinise also stars in THE FORGOTTEN. Like Moore, Sinise can make almost any film better by just acting in it. Though, his presence as psychologist Dr. Munce does lend the film some credibility, Sinise's performance turns out to be nothing more than an excuse to bring home a paycheck.
The failure to capitalize on Sinise's talent doesn't lie with director Ruben. Instead, the fault lies with writer Gerald Di Pego. Ruben maximizes Sinise talent as much as possible with the material given. However, Sinise doesn't do much because his character is a meant to be nothing more than a plot device. The movie works in much the same way. The carefully constructed universe of the first half of the film proves to be nothing more than a carefully constructed gimmick that leaves the audience feeling cheated once they find out what's really going on.
The unraveling begins about halfway through the movie. Ash and Telly are driving away in their getaway vehicle. Telly tells Ash that she doesn't watch tv and reads instead. Then, in one of the most memorable and well shot scenes in the movie, a black government SUV appears out of nowhere and crashes into Ash and Telly. One world crashes into another and all that is left is a tangled mess filled with conspiracy theories, people getting sucked into the sky, and a jumbled message about the power of a mother's love. The movie tries to put all the pieces together into a coherent whole, but fails miserably. The finished product is filled with holes and by the end of the movie a person leaves the theatre thinking that, like Telly, maybe they should have read a book instead.
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