The Least Dangerous Game

 THE CLEARING (2004)

Reviewed by Jerry Saravia

Viewed on July 17th, 2004 

Anyone remember an old "Incredible Hulk" TV episode where David Banner wore bandages while trekking through the woods with his old nemesis, Mr. Jack McGee, a reporter who knew of the Hulk's existence? Well, what about "The Defiant Ones"? Or "The Most Dangerous Game"? I am a sucker for two footloose men on the run or in hiding in the woods - it always allows ample opportunity for a
psychological profile, especially if a good writer is on hand. The trouble with "The Clearing" is that barely much time is focused on the footloose men in the woods. Instead, we are treated to endless scenes that would be at home in your own home, inside your own television.

Robert Redford is Wayne Hayes, a millionaire and former CEO, now an executive, who lives in a nice home with his wife in Pittsburgh. The kids are grown-up and have their own lives. Helen Mirren is the dutiful wife, Eileen, who prepares for dinner parties and goes for a swim, even on overcast mornings. Wayne is so rich that he merely smirks when he sees a check for 42 million in his desk
drawer! Got to love him. One morning, he picks up his Wall Street Journal in his driveway before getting kidnapped by Arnold (Willem Dafoe), a complete stranger. Wayne is kept in Arnold's trunk until they arrive at their destination, the woods leading to some cabin where they will meet some group.
Arnold forces Wayne to wear sneakers, and they are off to see the group, the wonderfully mysterious group! Of course, Wayne has no idea what the heck is going on. Arnold remains elusive for details. We slowly discover that Arnold used to work for Wayne and was fired, as were many disgruntled employees (how timely).

Meanwhile, Eileen is deeply worried. She has her kids stay with her, as well a couple of FBI agents. We eventually discover that Wayne has been hiding one or two things in his life. I will not reveal what they are but ask yourself this question when the penultimate moment arrives, are the revelations so
surprising? All Eileen can do is sit around, stare out the window, and look consistently worried. This is such a thankless role for someone like the grand Helen Mirren.

The problem is there are too many scenes of Eileen, and not enough between Arnold and Wayne, which should be the crux of the film. We learn almost too much about Eileen and learn next to nil about Arnold and Wayne. Something is wrong here. Arnold comes across as a less-restrained kidnapper than norm (though my first impression was that he was a CIA agent) but his intentions, when discovered, hardly evoke the desperate man we first see. Is he upset at Wayne for making too much money or for having worked for a company that Wayne later owned? And Wayne is nothing more than the blandest, most boring CEO ever shown on film - no attempt is made to make this man remotely engaging. Same
with Arnold. We are just stuck for one hour and a half looking at anonymous ciphers, not human beings. Tough task considering they are played by Willem Dafoe and Robert Redford.

"The Clearing" is directed by producer Pieter Jan Brugge, and he does a competent enough job with individual moments. Some scenes truly sparkle, such as Eileen running around from one phone booth to the next while trying to make contact with the kidnapper. I also like the nicely understated breakfast scene with Mirren and Redford. And the wordless bridge and dark tunnel sequence towards the end is stunning. The charismatic Dafoe does wonders with his underwritten role, always suggesting more than the screenplay has to offer. And the golden boy Redford seems adrift through most of this movie. Perhaps that is the message but I'd rather get lost in the Yellow Brick Road.