Publisher: Wuchak June 23, 2021
_**Despite one “Yeah, right” scene, this is a worthy backwoods psychological mystery/thriller**_ A couple in an RV (Thomas Jane & Anne Heche) stays at a remote lake in Alabama around Thanksgiving time. When their young daughter suddenly seems to vanish, the local sheriff investigates (Jason Patric). “The Vanished” (2020) was originally titled “Hour of Lead” and is a wilderness psychological drama/mystery/thriller. It’s marred by an unbelievable scene that occurs around the 24-minute mark, which could’ve been better written & executed. If you can extend a little suspension of disbelief, the movie ends up being surprising and rewarding. It's actually quite unique. The cinematography of the sylvan backwaters is superb, particularly the aerial shots. Meanwhile Aleksei Archer stands out as the requisite hot babe; more shoulda been done with her. I like the way the film slowly fleshes out the characters, including a few of the peripheral ones, like the Sheriff, the socially awkward kid and the shopkeeper. Naturally the focus is on the couple and interesting psychological insights thereof. The film runs 1 hour, 55 minutes, and was shot in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, with concentration on Lake Nicol. GRADE: B