At first I thought the movie is called "Prisoners" because the old lady had those kids as prisoners. But then, I realized there were other instances also of people keeping prisoners.
1. Melissa Leo with the kids (Including Dano)
2. Jackman with Paul Dano
3. Father Patrick with that corpse in his basement
4. And finally, Melissa leo with Jackman
It's not just that. They were also prisoners in the figurative sense. Hugh Jackman's character was a prisoner of his own fears and his inescapable violent nature, a fact that eventually lead him to actually becoming imprisoned in the darkness, the same way he had kept Paul Dano's character earlier. It could also be argued that, imprisoned by hope, the character continued to evolve in his refusal to accept his daughters death. Hugh Jackman's daughter in the movie will forever be imprisoned by the trauma she underwent, as evidenced by the last scene she appears in with a red whistle hanging from her neck, as a sort of "use in case of emergency" tool.
And Jake Gyllenhaal's character, although superbly played and perfect in its nuances, had less depth script-wise and it seems harder to apply this "prisoners" analogy on him. Gyllenhaal does a fantastic job in surfacing personality traits from the character, however it might have been constructive to have had a tad more development from the script. A little like they did in the first season of true detective with McConaughey.
Anyway, great movie, especially the first two acts. Third act could have had less of the old lady but they kinda fixed it leaving the ending open to interpretation:)
Good response Gatosaenz. I also feel the title is meant to be thought of in a metaphorical sense relating to the characters in the film.
Although I might add that I felt Jake Gyllenhaal's character was quite well portrayed as a prisoner of his own ambition. In him having to continue to have a 100% track record of solving cases and the obvious toll this has had on him can be seen via his many symbolic tattoo's (which point to a more troubled and tortured side that is really let on to) and also to the facial ticks that he exhibits throughout the film.
I'd also like to throw this out there (and although I haven't properly scanned the msg boards for like-minded views, I may be the only one on this, but...)
I feel many, if not ALL the characters are being held prisoner by their religious faith/views/beliefs.
A hell of lot of Christian symbolism in this film to be sure (excuse the pun)...and not all portrayed in a good light! That granny-chick and her husband were both religious nutbags. Plus the sex offending priest...and the cop's upside-down cross tattoo...not to mention all the praying in the film!
I'm definitely interested in researching some more in-depth analysis of these themes in the script, as I feel this was the REAL sub-text of the film and one that I find gives the story a lot more depth and longevity than it just being a straight up "whodunnit"
Jah-Bless! ^_^
lol. no matter WHAT the movie was about, someone would find some example to say it was meant figuratively. I'm sure it probably was, because that's how about EVERY movie is, and nobody whines it's not original, yet they will whine about movies that end with it being revealed that events didn't happen, as the main character was really seeing things that weren't there. Which happens in way less movies than many other traits which are repeated.
shareI agree with gatosaenz. Good post.
shareAnd the worst one; Anna Dover being imprisoned in a traumatised state after her rescue. I don't think it was a coincidence that her behaviour, post-rescue, was very similar to Paul Dano's Alex character's behaviour throughout the movie. He was a tragic figure, an abduction survivor, and now so is she. I'd go as far as to say that her scene in the wheelchair at the end was mimicking Alex's demeanour.
shareYeah you missed a bunch. See the insightful posts.
shareThere are more literal prisoners:
If Keller Dover (Jackman) is rescued from captivity, he'll be sent to a real prison as punishment for his abduction and torture of Alex Jones, and the Birches should also be jailed because they were accessories to Dover's crimes.
Bob Taylor was also a prisoner, and detective Loki should be jailed or at least suspended for his criminal actions which led to Taylor's suicide.