MEDIA > ARTICLES & INTERVIEWS > 2002

TRAPPED
from unknown, 2002
The best way to make an audience sympathize with the characters in a film is to put something in danger that people generally care for. Either place an animal in harm's way, or a child and the audience will be at your mercy. That must be why Trapped jumps right into the action, without any character development beforehand. With barely a moments notice, Abby Jennings is whisked away right under her mother, Karen's nose. (Charlize Theron) .While Karen's husband William Jennings (Stuart Townsend) is away at a conference for his new wonder drug, daughter Abby (Dakota Fanning) is hauled right out of the house. Dakota, who also starred in 'I Am Sam' is the cutest child prodigy since Jonathan Lipnicki from Jerry Maguire. If you don't sympathize with Dakota for waking up in a strange place and crying for her mother, then most likely nothing will. Meanwhile a new presence makes itself known to Karen, "I'm Joe, and I am going to help you through this." Joe Hickey is brought to life by wonderfully evil character portrayal of Kevin Bacon. Sweaty and sexy, Bacon excludes power, anger, and control. While Bacon keeps the ladies happy, Theron provides the male attraction, and looks ridiculously gorgeous even when red faced and teary eyed. Cheryl, Courtney Love, is keeping William in check in another location. He also happens to be a doctor on the break through of a new sedative. Can we say foreshadowing?Actually almost everything mentioned early on in the movie comes into the plot later on. Filmmakers have used the same tricks for years, and still feel the need to spell things out for us. What a bore! Throw in the classic girl-needs-medicine scheme, a personal vendetta and you have a hostage situation with too many extra's that only bring the plot down. The movie did have a few taut scenes, especially when Joe makes it clear he is expecting sexual favours for keeping Karen's daughter safe and instead comes face to face with a scalpel. Not to give away anymore than I already have, a neighbour stopping by provides another great moment in the movie. It was a shame that the climax of the movie did not suit the tone of the rest of the film. It was way over the top with a 50 car pile up, that mistook itself for an action film, though it was working up to a thriller ending. Stay at home for this one, it makes a better rental than a trek to the movies.

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