The Forgotten (DVD 2005)

Telly Paretta (Julianne Moore) is a grieving mother. Her son Sam was involved in a plane crash on his way to camp. Every day she goes through the same ritual of looking through his drawers, watching videos and studying photos of the boy. Her psychiatrist (Gary Sinise) has tried everything to stop her, but she cannot let go.

Then one day her family photo has one person missing. Sam. She questions her husband (Anthony Edwards) what he has done. Then all the photos are gone, the videos are blank and newspaper clippings of the accident have disappeared. Her doctor tells her that Sam never existed and that she created him after a miscarriage. But Telly doesn’t believe them. Her only hope is a fellow victim of the crash, Ash (Dominic West), whose daughter was Sam’s best friend. But he too doesn’t know what Telly is talking about, until she makes a discovery in his flat that brings Ash round.

This could quite easily have been an episode of The X Files, and no one would have noticed. A bizarre mixture of thriller, family drama, chase movie and sci-fi flick. There are long scenes in which the characters cover the same ground (we have to find out children etc) but it’s quite gripping, if a little silly in places.

Julianne Moore proves once again what an outstanding actress she really is. Not only is she extremely watchable, she makes you feel like you are suffering along with her. As she gets closer to the truth, you have already lived the pain that she has. Even when the script goes into total stupidity, she manages to make every scene believable.

With a good supporting cast (Edwards and Sinise are a little wasted), Dominic West manages to keep up with Moore’s powerhouse performance, but you do question about their relationship.

Joesph Rubin handles the direction well and the special effects (when they happen) are shocking, but it does outstay its welcome. (Even though the alternative version on DVD is more satisfactory than the cinema release.

Don’t expect the greatest suspense thriller ever, but sit back and drink in Julianne Moore’s stunning performance.