Like an episode of The X-Files with a civilian redhead (instead of an FBI agent) up to her neck in the eerie goings-on, this goosepimpler stars the emotionally riveting Julianne Moore as a mourning mother being driven mad by memories of a dead nine-year-old son who she's suddenly told never existed. On the run from a reality she refuses to recognize, her only ally is an alcoholic ex-hockey player (Dominic West, Chicago) who takes some convincing to conjure up fractured memories of his own daughter, killed in the same accident as Moore's son. The movie's big question is whether or not Moore is just nuts--especially as she becomes increasingly convinced her son is actually alive--but director Joseph Ruben plays it close to the vest, slowly revealing apparent conspiracies and supernatural elements (with some simple but startling special effects) that could go either way. Still, The Forgotten bets too much on the talented actors drawing attention away from rather obvious questions about the plot's cohesion--especially in the finale--and while there's a respectable foreboding factor here, ultimately the movie isn't any more memorable than Moore's kid seems to be (for everyone in the world but herself). Optional. [Note: DVD extras include both the original theatrical version and a “never-before-seen” extended cut (which integrates deleted scenes and an alternate ending), audio commentary--on the theatrical version--by director Joseph Ruben and writer Gerald Di Pego, the 20-minute "making-of" featurette “Remembering The Forgotten,” a 14-minute “On the Set” behind-the-scenes featurette, three deleted scenes--including an alternate ending (13 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a fine extras package for unmemorable thriller.] (R. Blackwelder)
The Forgotten
Columbia TriStar, 91 min., PG-13, VHS: $107.99, DVD: $28.95, Jan. 18 Volume 20, Issue 1
The Forgotten
Star Ratings
As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
Order From Your Favorite Distributor Today: