MovieChat Forums > Missing (1982) Discussion > Good movie. Political....but not too he...

Good movie. Political....but not too heavy-handed....which is good.

posted 8 years ago by jmichael3387
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I enjoyed this movie. Pretty decent story about a father looking for his son.

They painted the current government, which just took-over, as bad. And rightfully so.

But they also made it clear that the son who disappeared was a Communist who caused his own death. Advocating for the government to take half of everything someone owns and give it to someone else....no matter how hard you worked for it. Brazenly meddling in a dangerous country like that....it was pretty-much expected that you'll get yourself killed.

And they made it clear that America basically had no choice but to side with the current coup. Unless we want all private business in Chile to end.

The words at the end said that the father tried to sue everyone....but his lawsuit rightfully got thrown-out. I'm glad they didn't show that part. That would have made his character unlikable. Throughout the movie he took the position that it was stupid and dangerous to advocate for Communism in a country like that....which it is.

[–] glaeken777 8 years ago

I agree it isn't heavy handed, but you came away drawing some conclusions I would've only if the movie HAD been heavy handed.

Charles was simply "open" to the idea of Allende's socialist government. The Chilean people had decided to embrace this form of governance, and were robbed of their right to self determination at a cost of thousands of innocent people. He witnessed things he shouldn't have, but there's no evidence he would've been safer if he hadn't asked some pointed questions of the wrong person -- who incidentally was a fellow countryman, not a Chilean.

Charles didn't deserve to die, and he wasn't a Communist, just labeled that in sweeping generalizations made by his frustrated father. Ed and Charles existed on opposite ends of the political spectrum, but ultimately they're both revealed to be neophytes completely unaware of the powerful machinations that roll over little people in the way.

Ed's "Silent Majority" views are challenged and ultimately shattered by what he uncovers. That's why his lawsuit's failure is so tragic, because Ed's last words are an indication that he still clings to faith in American justice, and we end the film knowing even that will be taken from him. Lemmon got robbed of an Oscar that year. His gradual transformation -- from an estranged and hard-nosed father, to Charles's staunchest advocate and defender -- is heart-wrenching and authentic.

A wonderful movie, but still a very sad and depressing one.

[–] RobbieCalifornia 8 years ago

That it was. Charles was a idealistic man who made the fatal mistake of getting involved in another country's filthy business.

Missing is a very good film. I saw it for the first time when it was released, and several viewings later it still moves and angers me. Great performances from Jack Lemmon and Sissy Spacek and the rest of the fine cast. It was well written, suspenseful, thought provoking. It was awarded several Oscars, well-deserved.

The OP's comments are BS.