George Sluizer
The Vanishing - Scomparsa

Last night I happened to rewatch this modest thriller from 1993, a remake of a film titled The Vanishing directed by the same director. Among the actors is the legendary Jeff Bridges here in the role of the villain, Kiefer Sutherland, Sandra Bullock (who actually only makes a cameo), and Nancy Travis.

Unusually, the film begins with the vicissitudes of the villain, Barney Cousins, a family man and science teacher, obsessed with discovering how far one can go both for good and evil. Years earlier, he saved a girl who was drowning; now he wants to prove to himself that he can also commit a morally terrible act, specifically kidnapping a woman, after attacking and knocking her out with chloroform.

By chance, the target is Diane Shaver, played by Sandra Bullock, whom he meets at a bar near a gas station while she was trying to buy a drink from a vending machine. Her boyfriend, Jeff Harriman, played by Kiefer Sutherland, unaware of everything, was waiting for Diane to return to the car. But Diane will never return, and all traces of her will be lost.

Jeff, after several years and after getting engaged to another woman, Rita, secretly continues the search for his ex-girlfriend, tormented by doubt and uncertainty.

This is more or less the plot. The villain's point of view is interesting, as is the extraordinary performance by Bridges. On the other hand, Sutherland's role is so-so, failing to convey any great pathos during what should be a desperate search for his girlfriend. The very fast-paced scenes do not give the proper weight to the protagonist's drama, who resembles more an old softie lacking any drive. Remarkable, however, is Nancy Travis's performance as Rita, who, upon discovering her partner's desperate search and overcoming the jealousy towards his ex, takes the initiative and becomes a protagonist in the inevitable final confrontation with Barney. The dialogues are often filled with forced trivialities not worthy of a substantial film. Despite this, it is a work that can be watched and knows how to entertain the viewer, who is especially curious to find out what Barney has done with poor Diane: is she still alive? Did he abuse her? Where is she being kept hidden?

Definitely recommended for thriller enthusiasts, but don't expect to find anything extraordinary.