Missing (1982)
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96% of critics liked it
(28 reviews) -
82% of users liked it
(4,995 ratings)
Costa-Gavras's tense political drama opens in an unspecified South American country (though clearly intended to be Chile) in the throes of a military coup. American activist Charles Horman (John Shea), who has been a thorn in the side of the country's military ever since his arrival,… More Costa-Gavras's tense political drama opens in an unspecified South American country (though clearly intended to be Chile) in the throes of a military coup. American activist Charles Horman (John Shea), who has been a thorn in the side of the country's military ever since his arrival, suddenly disappears. In trying to find out what has happened, his wife Beth (Sissy Spacek) is stonewalled, not only by the ruling junta but by the American consulate. His father, staunchly patriotic Ed Horman (Jack Lemmon), joins Beth in her search. Ed and his daughter-in-law have never seen eye to eye politically, and he refuses to entertain the notion that his son's disappearance might be part of a larger conspiracy or cover-up. But as the days grow into weeks, Ed comes to the shattering conclusion that he and his family have been betrayed by the American government, on behalf of the "friendly" South American dictator who holds his people in a grip of iron. Adapted by Costa-Gavras and Donald E. Stewart from a book by Thomas Hauser, Missing was inspired by the true story of the late Charles Horman. In spite of (or perhaps because of) condemnation from certain high-ranking officials in the Reagan administration, the film went on to win an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, as well as nominations for Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Actress. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Costa-Gavras
- Genres
- Mystery & Suspense, Drama
PG,
- In Theaters
- Feb 12, 1982 Wide
- Studio
- Universal Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine
A story that could have made for a brisk jeremiad on 60 Minutes is stretched to 122 minutes of heroes fuming and villains purring their oleaginous apologies. Spacek and Lemmon, an appealing sweet-and-sour combo, sink in the swamp of good intentions.
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Variety Staff, Variety
Lemmon is superior as a man facing up to issues he never wanted to confront personally.
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Derek Adams, Time Out
Spacek and Lemmon are fine as the missing man's wife and father, but what makes the film so overwhelming in places is its unending night-time imagery of a society coming apart at the seams.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
This movie might have really been powerful, if it could have gotten out of its own way.
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Vincent Canby, New York Times
Among other things Missing does is to convince you that, next time, you're not going to waste your vote. The passive citizen is the citizen-victim.
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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Jack Lemmon
as Ed Horman
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Sissy Spacek
as Beth Horman
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Melanie Mayron
as Terry Simon
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John Shea
as Charles Horman
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Charles Cioffi
as Capt. Ray Tower
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David Clennon
as Consul Phil Putnam
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Richard Venture
as U.S. Ambassador
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Jerry Hardin
as Col. Sean Patrick
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Richard Bradford
as Carter Babcock
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Joe Regalbuto
as Frank Teruggi
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Keith Szarabajka
as David Holloway
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John Doolittle
as David McGeary
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Janice Rule
as Kate Newman
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Ward Costello
as Congressman
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Hansford Rowe
as Senator
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Tina Romero
as Maria
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Jacqueline Evans
as Woman (Ford Foundation)
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John Fenton
as Carlos
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Jaime Garza
as Young Man at Stadium
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Robert Hitt
as Peter Chernin
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Martin LaSalle
as Paris
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Jorge Russek
as Espinoza
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Gerardo Vigil
as Sexy Soldier
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Terry Nelson
as Col. Clay
- Wallis Nicita
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Linda Spheeris
as Woman (State Department)
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Joe Tompkins
as Marine Officer
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Richard Whiting
as Statesman
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Felix Gonzalez
as Rojas
