What started out as a well-made, relatively large-scale production TV movie quickly became one of the very best movies I have ever seen - in theaters or on television. We've all seen dozens or more movies concerning a child-gone-missing, and a parent's fervent attempts to uncover the mystery and find their child before it's too late. Many times the parents will be looking for their child at the same time the police assigned to the case are doing the same.
Uncovering this mystery along with the parent in this film will keep you glued to your seat. The plot is fast-paced and contains a constant series of interesting events, surprises, and plot twists. It's made brilliantly - with flashbacks, real time happenings, and re-tracing of other characters' steps. What starts out almost as a light, breezy, almost comedic movie... soon turns seriously suspenseful as a mother's raw determination to find her daughter takes over in full force.
What sets this movie apart by far - very far, is the acting. Daphne Zuniga as Rene gives what is truly an Academy Award performance as an extremely relatable protective mother, searching for the whereabouts of her daughter during a Spring break vacation. She acts EXACTLY like a real mother would in real life. The sheer terror/shock she exudes in the many scenes of discoveries is portrayed with such stark realism and belief... that you feel as if you are watching a documentary of a missing person in real time, witnessing a parent's worse nightmare, as the truths become revealed to her and the story unfolds. Her acting is truly that extraordinary. This movie should have been widely released theatrically so that she is recognized for her powerful acting in this movie.
The rest of the cast also deserve exceptionally high acclaim and praise. Lauren Bowles, as Rene's best friend Lisa, brings to new heights the spirit of a parent whose own past mistakes and insecurities makes her an overly-lenient mother, whose daughter actually craves more of her concern and attention. She's the "fun" friend who always tells you not to worry about things and to "relax"... which works 99% of the time, but blows up to disastrous proportions when real trouble hits.
Lisa's daughter Matty, played by Gage Golightly, reaches the perfect note as that girl who is always the partier of the group - the one who always wants to have a good time - even if it means sometimes not making the best choices. At times you feel angry and frustrated with her actions in this movie, but then quickly realize how well you understand her, given her upbringing and her own issues. She may not be as confident and carefree as she first appears - and this becomes glaringly apparent when the nightmare of her friend's disappearance begins.
Brigette Davidovici, as Rene's missing daughter Kaitlin, is flawless as the "perfect" daughter/sister/friend - who seemingly does everything right, is going through a period of self-discovery herself, while at the same time battling the control and protective issues perpetrated upon her by her mother. It's a situation MANY teenagers today can relate to, and are battling with themselves. So her disappearance makes it that much more realistic... it's extremely frightening and anguishing for the viewers... whether you're a parent, teenager, or anyone else.
Special mention should be given to Brock Harris as Alex, a boy that Kaitlin knows. Not many actors can portray drunk scenes with pin point accuracy. It usually is depicted with slurred words and stumbling movements. His actions, however, hit you with stone cold reality... his acting perfectly depicts the type that, when they drink, become a very different person - and you can see it in their eyes. It's a very distinctive and pitch-perfect performance.
Everyone involved with the making of this movie should be credited with the highest regard and acclaim. This is not your typical television movie. Your emotions and involvement with this film will run high. And Daphne Zuniga's performance, her raw determinism and NEVER-giving-up persistence, is absolutely terrific on all counts. A mother's true nightmare, acted brilliantly.
