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Robert Redford, Helen Mirren, Willem Dafoe, Alessandro Nivola, Matt Craven ... see more see more... , Melissa Sagemiller , Wendy Crewson , Larry Pine , Diana Scarwid , Elizabeth Ruscio , Sarah Koskoff

Dutch film producer Pieter Jan Brugge makes his directorial debut with the dramatic thriller The Clearing. Affluent executive Wayne Hayes (Robert Redford) and his lovely wife, Eileen (Helen Mirren), l... read more read more...ive in a beautiful home in Pittsburg. One day, Wayne is kidnapped by disgruntled employee Arnold Mack (Willem Dafoe). He is then held for ransom in a forest. Meanwhile, Eileen is forced to reckon with the FBI agents as they negotiate with the kidnapper. Alessandro Nivola and Melissa Sagemiller star as the two grown Hayes children. Matt Craven plays FBI Agent Ray Fuller. The Clearing premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2004. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

Flixster Users

34% liked it

7,016 ratings

Critics

43% liked it

130 critics

R, 1 hr. 31 min.

Directed by: Pieter Jan Brugge

Release Date: July 2, 2004

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DVD Release Date: November 9, 2004

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Stats: 386 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (386)

  • cosmo313
    August 11, 2011
    cosmo313
    This little 2004 drama is a slow-burn thriller about a successful businessman (Redford) who is one day kidnapped and held for ransom by a former employee (Dafoe). Once word gets out about the abduction, it is up to the businessman's wife (Mirren) to deliver the ransom.

    The ideas... read more going on, and the way they are executed is kinda alrighr, and this had the potential to be really good. However, the film ultimately faisl to deliver a product that is as compelling as it could be. The film is edited in a way to make it seem that all the events are happening simultaneously, when in reality this isn't quite the case.

    I kinda liked this idea, but with the way it plays out, I think the film would have ultimately been far better and stronger had they just told it in a more straightforward fashion, with greater emphasis on motives, characters, and that kind of thing. All of that is there, but it seems a little weak. Maybe I should just try to overlook that though since this was Pieter Jan Brugge's first film as a director.

    There are things I liked about it. The casting is good, and they give pretty decent performances. The film has a good atmosphere and tone, and there are some parts that are really suspenseful and done quite well. I was never bored watching the film, yet it left me a little unfulfilled and wondering why the people behind the film made the decisions they did.

    Despite it's problems and the fact that it ultimately isn't a successful movie, you can tell they tried to make it good. The psychological elements are nice, too. I don't really ultimately recommend it, yet I still kinda liked it, or at least some it, or the concepts.

    I wantd this to be good, and even though it's not, it does come fairly close.
  • BEACHBUNNI
    October 14, 2010
    BEACHBUNNI
    Wayne (Robert Redford) and Eileen (Helen Mirren) Hayes, together they have raised two children and really struggled to build a successful business from the ground up. But there have been sacrifices along the way. When Wayne is kidnapped, by Arnold Mack (Willem Dafoe), and held fo... read morer ransom in a remote forest, the couple's world is turned inside out !!!!
    i quite enjoyed this one guys...its full of suspense
  • LWOODS04
    March 9, 2010
    LWOODS04
    Robert Redford, Helen Mirren, Willem Dafoe, Alessandro Nivola, Melissa Sagemiller, Matt Craven

    DIRECTED BY: Pieter Jan Brugge

    Wayne and Eileen Hayes live the American Dream. Together they've raised two children and struggled to build a successful business from the ground up... read more. But there have been sacrifices along the way. When Wayne is kidnapped by an ordinary man, Arnold Mack, and held for ransom in a remote forest, the couple's world is turned inside out. Eileen finds her home full of FBI Agents, their life under scrutiny. While Wayne is engaged in the negotiation of his lifetime, Eileen works frantically with the FBI to secure his release. The terrifying ordeal causes Wayne and Eileen to reassess their marriage and come to a deeper sense of their commitment to each other. With each passing hour, the need and desire for Wayne to return home safely becomes ever more urgent.

    Not your typical thriller. Although there are many mixed reviews, I am one of the few that enjoyed the simplicity of this film. Very little action, but suspense all the way through. It keeps you on edge of what is going to happen until the very end. It also doesn't have the traditional ending that you usually get. I think it was done smart. Love Robert Redford, Helen Mirren, and Willem Dafoe so I had to see this film. It wasn't a disappointment. It does seem to go a little slow at times, but not so much that its bothersome. Well to me at least. But I enjoyed it. Worth seeing.
  • bbcfloridabound
    February 17, 2008
    bbcfloridabound
    How did I miss this one when it came out, Wow kept me on the edge of my seat. Robert Redford played excellent part. Why does Willem Dafor always have to be the crazy one. Great addition to my collection.
  • allan913
    December 2, 2007
    allan913
    A smart, well-crafted and sensational edge of your seat thriller. Taunt, compelling and rich in characer. Thrilling with an emotional punch. Intelligent thrillers like this rarely come around. It's nail-biting, exciting, brilliant remarkable. Gripping, riveting, shocking and asto... read morenishing. A suspenseful film that will keep you guessing right till the end. Robert Redford gives a powerful performance. Willem Dafoe is teriffic. Helen Mirren is outstanding.
  • sayers1977
    April 12, 2010
    sayers1977
    A bunch of great actors in a totally redundant film. I honestly couldn't see what attracted any of these people to this. The best bits are between Redford and Dafoe but it doesn't go anywhere and the whole thing seems half-baked. When I originally saw this advertised I wondered w... read morehy it had never had a cinema release and why I hadn't heard anything about it. Now I know! What a waste of time!
  • trisarahtops22
    November 10, 2009
    trisarahtops22
    There was really no point to this movie. There was no climax, no suspence, so a-ha moment. I was completely and totally disappointed with this.
  • DrLappos
    June 27, 2007
    DrLappos
    Im not a big Redford fan but this was a really watchable film with a superb ending.
  • FanGirl
    September 13, 2006
    FanGirl
    The fact that I figured out the 'twist' fairly early, didn't help.
  • PinkMinkPrincess
    June 26, 2011
    PinkMinkPrincess
    A Bit Slow, although great Dialog.Disappointing Ending,Disappointing Movie, even with some of my favorite actors in it.

View All The Clearing Reviews

Critic Reviews

Anthony Lane
August 1, 2004
Anthony Lane, New Yorker

A thriller stripped of thrills -- or, even worse, a thriller that thinks of itself as somehow rising above the vulgar pleasures of excitement.

Eric Harrison
July 9, 2004
Eric Harrison, Houston Chronicle

An intriguing but dramatically stunted psychological thriller about a kidnapping. Full Review

Joe Baltake
July 9, 2004
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

They all look good, and they carefully recite their dialogue, but not one of them is alive. Or worth caring about. Full Review

Rex Reed
July 9, 2004
Rex Reed, New York Observer

Everything about it is stultifying, unexceptional and dull. Full Review

Roger Moore
July 9, 2004
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

It's watchable only if you don't mind that there isn't a shock, a surprise or a message in its 91 minutes. Full Review

Terry Lawson
July 9, 2004
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press

A kidnapping drama that may be too intentionally low-key to qualify as a thriller but that accrues weight and tension as it makes its way through a forest of repressed emotion. Full Review

Bill Muller
July 8, 2004
Bill Muller, Arizona Republic

Redford and Dafoe have all the fun, but Mirren exhibits the most talent. Full Review

Philip Wuntch
July 8, 2004
Philip Wuntch, Dallas Morning News

The film is written, directed and enacted with palpable intelligence. But intelligence can seem dull if unleavened by wit or excitement. Full Review

Jeff Strickler
July 8, 2004
Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune

What had been an intelligent and intriguing thriller loses its bearing, its momentum and, eventually, its audience. Full Review

Robert Denerstein
July 3, 2004
Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News

Some nice writing and a commitment to craftsmanship are evident, but the voltage here is simply too low to engage us.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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The Clearing Trivia

  • What is one of the habits that Sarah Jessica Parker has in The Family Stone that annoy the family so much?  Answer »
  • Who kidnapped Robert Redford in "The Clearing"?  Answer »
  • In the Family Stone what is Merideths annoying habit?  Answer »
  • In what movie does a small boy get abducted by natives in Brazil, whose father is a contractor/architect clearing the Rainforest?  Answer »
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