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You've probably seen several movies about parents trying to save their kidnapped, dying, or otherwise endangered children. In Joseph Ruben's film The Forgotten, poor Telly Paretta faces a dilemma of a different order. Her son is already dead—killed in a plane crash. But now, as she grieves, she's suddenly put in the position of having to prove that her son ever existed in the first place.

Telly, played by frequent Oscar-nominee Julianne Moore (Far From Heaven, The Hours, Vanya on 42nd Street), is understandably dismayed when her psychiatrist (Gary Sinise) tells her that her memories of her son are merely delusions. When she rushes to gather photographs and other evidence, she discovers that it has all vanished. The father of another mysteriously disappeared crash victim (Dominic West) joins her desperate search for proof of their kids and their sanity.

As is their wont, religious film critics are relatively concerned about moviegoer sanity, and so they're sending out some cautions about The Forgotten. Apparently, children aren't the only thing hard to find in the film—plausibility and a satisfying solution are missing as well.

"This isn't a terribly suspenseful or compelling movie," writes Russ Breimeier (Christianity Today Movies), "and that's sure to surprise anyone planning to see it. There are at least some very well-staged visual surprises (not scares). Too bad most of them were shown in commercials and the trailer. For the most part, we've seen this movie done better in other films and TV programs." As an alternative, he recommends mystery/thriller fans rent 1998's Dark City.

"There are at least three moments that may make you jump out of your seat," says Harry Forbes (Catholic News Service), "and director Ruben maintains a taut mood, even as you see loopholes in a plot that doesn't entirely avoid a feeling of contrivance."

Bob Smithouser (Plugged In) lists off the pros and cons: "Riveting concept. Creepy atmosphere. Other adjectives worth tossing into the mix are 'mediocre,' 'illogical' and 'occasionally silly.' It also uses too much profanity, which is its most egregious sin."

Michael Elliott (Movie Parables) gives the film higher praise, saying that the filmmakers "have made nine-tenths of a riveting movie. There are more than a couple of 'gotcha' scenes and the mystery surrounding the film's events draws us into the story and keeps us interested in knowing more … right up to the point where the mystery is revealed … a disappointing letdown after such a strong setup."

David Bruce (Hollywood Jesus) zeroes in on the significance of the story's theme: "There is nothing more important in life than relationship. A person who is driven to establish appropriate and meaningful relationships with those that they love can be a force of unimaginable drive. Basically, in this film, Telly has to walk over all the power of the enemy to re-establish her most important relationship."

But on the same page, Kevin Miller says The Forgotten "ultimately [fails] due to half-baked story development and endings that are so conventional you just wish the screenwriters had thought to give M. Night Shyamalan a call."

Bret Willis (Christian Spotlight) says, "Some commentators are calling it derivative fluff. I'm withholding judgment." He goes on to say, "If you like SciFi, and can handle edgy PG-13 material, suspense, heartbreak and some far-out twists, you'll probably like it. For non-SciFi people, it will probably seem like a waste of a talented cast."

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September (Web-only) 2004, Vol. 48