The Disappearance

This French television drama serves up hypnotic crime story that will have viewers transfixed from beginning to end. The narrative begins in Lyon with beautiful Léa (Camille Razat) going out with friends to celebrate her upcoming 18th birthday. Although her parents, Florence (Alix Poisson) and Julien (Pierre-François Martin-Laval), impose a curfew on Lea, she fails to come home on time, and as the hours pass, her parents begin to fear the worst. The police are called and the investigation is headed up by Commander Molina (François-Xavier Demaison), newly arrived from Paris. The case proceeds slowly, and a frustrated Julien begins his own search. But the lack of speed on the part of the police does not mean a lack of progress, as they uncover clues and hitherto unknown facts about Lea that will take the probe into unexpected territory. Adapted from the award-winning Spanish miniseries Desaparecida, The Disappearance is blessed with an intelligent script that plumbs the emotional angst and frustration of Lea's vanishing, acted by a fine ensemble cast under the skilled direction of Charlotte Brandstrom. Presenting all eight episodes from the 2015 miniseries, extras include a photo gallery. Highly recommended. (P. Hall)