Missing Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

An uptight dad goes to Chile to find his son, but ends up finding out the US government is more sus than his kid’s political views.

🍿 Missing: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Disappearance

In September 1973, American journalist Charles Horman is in Chile with his friend Terry during the Chilean coup d’état. As the political situation escalates, Charles attempts to return to his wife, Beth, in Santiago. However, amidst the chaos of the coup, Charles is arrested by the military and disappears.

The Father’s Arrival

Ed Horman, Charles’s conservative businessman father, arrives in Chile from New York to find his missing son. He teams up with Beth, who is skeptical of the American authorities in Chile. Ed initially trusts the U.S. Consulate, believing they will assist in the search, while Beth distrusts their motives and involvement.

Unraveling the Truth

As Ed and Beth investigate, they encounter numerous obstacles and conflicting accounts. Their search leads them through hospitals, morgues, and government offices. Ed’s initial faith in his government begins to waver as he uncovers evidence suggesting a darker truth about the American involvement in his son’s disappearance.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ed Horman (Jack Lemmon): A conservative American businessman who travels to Chile to find his missing son and confronts the reality of US involvement in the coup.
• Beth Horman (Sissy Spacek): The wife of the missing journalist, she is skeptical of American authorities and determined to uncover the truth about her husband’s disappearance.
• Charles Horman (John Shea): An American journalist living in Chile who disappears after the military coup, prompting his father and wife to search for him.
• Captain Ray Tower (Charles Cioffi): A U.S. Naval officer in Chile whose actions and evasiveness fuel Beth’s suspicions and contribute to Ed’s growing disillusionment.
• Consul Phil Putnam (David Clennon): An American Consul who initially promises help but is later revealed to be withholding crucial information about Charles’s fate.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Ed Horman: “I just thank God we live in a country where we can still put people like you in jail.” – Ed says this to the US officials at the consulate, expressing his disillusionment and anger after discovering their deception and complicity.
• Silvio: “You Americans, you always assume you must do something before you can be arrested.” – Silvio, a local contact, explains the arbitrary nature of arrests and disappearances under the military regime.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $9,500,000
• Domestic Gross: $14,000,000
• Worldwide Gross: $14,000,000

💥 Missing Reviews

Personal Review

I first saw ‘Missing’ in college, and it completely shook my faith in blind patriotism. Jack Lemmon’s transformation from a staunch conservative to a man disillusioned by his own government is heartbreaking. The scene in the morgue, where he desperately searches for his son, is gut-wrenching. This film isn’t just a political thriller; it’s a deeply human story about loss, betrayal, and the search for truth.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of political thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in historical dramas”
  • “Those who appreciate strong performances by Jack Lemmon and Sissy Spacek”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Scenes of violence and political unrest”
  • “Disturbing content related to torture and execution”
  • “Brief strong language”

Professional Reviews

• Roger Ebert: “Missing is a powerful and disturbing film that explores the themes of political corruption and personal responsibility. Costa-Gavras masterfully creates an atmosphere of tension and paranoia, while Jack Lemmon delivers a tour-de-force performance as a father who is forced to confront the ugly truth about his government. This is a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.
• Vincent Canby: “Missing is less a thriller and more a character study of Ed Horman, brilliantly played by Jack Lemmon, as his ideals about the American government crumble as he uncovers the truth behind his son’s disappearance. Sissy Spacek is effective as the skeptical wife, but Lemmon carries the emotional weight of the film.

Audience Reactions

Jack Lemmon’s performance is phenomenal and a must-see, captivating audiences with his emotional depth and range.: Viewers universally praise Jack Lemmon’s raw, emotional performance and the film’s unflinching portrayal of political corruption.

Overall Consensus: A powerful and thought-provoking political thriller with standout performances that challenges viewers to question authority.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Adapted Screenplay)- 1983
2. Palme d’Or (Best Film)- 1982

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was banned in Chile during Pinochet’s dictatorship, which lasted from 1973 to 1990.”
• “Costa-Gavras chose to not explicitly name Chile in the film to give it a universal feel, highlighting how such events could happen anywhere with similar political dynamics.”

🖥️ How to Watch Missing?

As of October 2024, ‘Missing’ is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for availability on other streaming services or for potential broadcast options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Missing, you might like these similar films:

• Z (1969): Directed by Costa-Gavras, it explores political corruption and assassination in Greece, similar to the themes in ‘Missing’.
• All the President’s Men (1976): It portrays journalists uncovering a political scandal, akin to the search for truth in ‘Missing’.
• Argo (2012): It involves a daring rescue operation in a politically volatile environment with underlying US foreign policy implications.

🛒 Missing Related Products

• Missing (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: A high-quality Blu-ray edition of ‘Missing’ from the Criterion Collection. Includes restored image and sound, plus extras such as interviews with the director and cast. This is a must-own for serious cinephiles wanting the best possible version of this classic film.
• The Execution of Charles Horman: An American Sacrifice by Thomas Hauser: The non-fiction book that inspired the movie ‘Missing.’ A detailed and gripping account of the real-life events surrounding Charles Horman’s disappearance. It provides a deeper understanding of the political context and the personal stories involved.
• The Trial of Henry Kissinger: An intense single-player narrative game where the player has to uncover and disclose the historical background and circumstances of a political assassination.
• Salvador Allende: The Last Day: Documentary: A compelling documentary providing historical context to the Chilean coup d’état. Gain insight into the political climate and events that led to the tragic events depicted in ‘Missing’.

🎧 Soundtrack

Missing features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Missing” – performed by Vangelis
• “Theme from Missing (End Titles)” – performed by Vangelis

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

the missing detail in Eyes Wide Shut

Did you catch this subtle but crucial detail in ‘Eyes Wide Shut’? This video points out something you might have missed, and honestly, it changed how I see the ending!

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