[7]
Jack Lemmon and Sissy Spacek star in this true story about the disappearance of American journalist Charles Horman (John Shea) who disappeared during the U.S.-sponsored 1973 Chilean coup. Spacek plays the missing man’s wife and Lemmon plays his father. When they unite in Valparaiso to search for Charles, old grievances threaten to slow their progress. Lemmon’s conservative character never agreed with his son and wife’s more liberal, anti-capitalist views or their decision to live outside America. His convictions are shaken, however, when they learn the U.S. government may be involved with his son’s fate.
Missing paints a harrowing portrait of day to day life during the violent coup. Characters are constantly startled by the sound of not-so-distant gunfire. Spacek’s character has to step over dead bodies in the street and ends up spending a night in a dark alley after missing the last bus home. As the story progresses, it becomes more and more obvious to Lemmon’s and Spacek’s characters that they aren’t going to find Charles alive. Things get especially dire when they find the body of a friend and fellow journalist in a room full of unidentified corpses — a friend the government claimed was already on a plane back to the States.
Director Costa-Gavras (Betrayed, Music Box) refrains from embracing the film’s potential as either an action film or a thriller, focusing almost entirely on the character drama. The film features strong performances all around, led by one of the greatest American actors — Jack Lemmon. Lemmon and Spacek maintain stiff upper lips for much of the film, but at a certain point, we see the cracks in their facades. Lemmon especially shines in a few scenes where he pleads for help from officials. John Shea is memorable and endearing as Charles in the film’s protracted opening and a number of flashbacks. The strong supporting cast also includes Joe Regalbuto as a doomed journalist and Janice Rule as a sympathetic reporter who aids Lemmon and Spacek in their plight for the truth.
Missing was controversial upon its release for depicting human rights violations from both Chile and the United States. The film was banned in Chile until 1990, after the dictator who took power in 1973 (Augusto Pinochet) finally left power.
With Melanie Mayron, Charles Cioffi, David Clennon, Richard Bradford, Jerry Hardin, and music by Vangelis (Chariots of Fire, Blade Runner).
Academy Award: Best Adapted Screenplay (Costa-Gavras and Donald E. Stewart)
Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Actor (Jack Lemmon), Actress (Sissy Spacek)
Cannes Film Festival: Palme d’Or, Best Actor (Jack Lemmon)