David is heartbroken and doesn’t know what to do. What can he do to win back the woman he loves? In order to find out, he kidnaps two people to see how they fall in love and observe them? What?! Kenton Bartlett wrote/produced/directed and edited Missing Pieces, an ambitious tale that although has a very unique concept, ultimately left me more focused on logistics than the story.
David is confused when Delia (Melora Walters of HBO’s Big Love, Magnolia) breaks off their relationship. His intentions are pure even as he drugs and kidnaps the young couple. The strongest part of the film is the lead character, David, played with tenderness by Mark Boone Jr (FX series Sons of Anarchy, Batman Begins, Memento). He’s a “THAT GUY!” and has been a working actor since the mid 1980s. I’ve rarely seen him play a part that isn’t a bad guy, but in this film, he brings an innocence and sweetness to the character that really got me to root for him.
After being kidnapped, Daylen (Daniel Hassel) and Maggie (Taylor Engel) have initial fears, but never seem to be truly terrified even after days of captivity. These are two young adults who don’t seem to be concerned that they are missing work or that anyone will be wondering where they are. I was also curious where they were because one day they were in the desert and the next they were in a snow-covered forest. I know I would be worried about that as a victim, yet the two act as though they are just in a reality show and even act playfully.
The visuals of the film itself are very soft and remind me of dream sequences. The music is generic, somber and contributes to the tone where it should only highlight. At just under two hours, the film starts dragging at the 20 minute mark where the storyline with the two captives becomes the focus, yet nothing truly compelling happens. A thriller, drama and romance, the film is not able to mesh the three together and left me unsatisfied.
This is the first feature film by Kenton Bartlett, a native to Birmingham, Alabama.
http://www.findyourmissingpieces.com
Release online from Sept. 23-Nov 21 on Prescreen.com, 117 minutes.
Showing at Rave-Patton Creek, Birmingham, Alabama Sept 12-18.
Rating: Amazing concept, but too drawn out. 3/10
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