Writer/Director Noah Buschel’s third feature, The Missing Person, stars Michael Shannon as John Rosow, a private detective hired to tail a man, Harold Fullmer, on a train from Chicago to Los Angeles. Rosow gradually uncovers Harold’s identity as a missing person; one of the thousands presumed dead after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Persuaded by a large reward, Rosow is charged with bringing Harold back to his wife in New York City against his will. Ultimately Rosow must confront whether the decision to return Harold to a life that no longer exists is the right one. The Missing Person co-stars Academy Award © Nominee Amy Ryan and features a strong supporting cast including Margaret Colin, Linda Emond, Yul Vazquez and John Ventimiglia. –StrandReleasing
the cast is fine and there are definitely some noteworthy moments here. however i was expecting a bit more...."something missing?" but this still rates as a better than average gumshoe tale.....
Downbeat and deadpan odd (though not to the same extent as Herzog's *My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done*). Michael Shannon's grimacing, mumbling performance is the main reason to keep watching. Does the 9/11 tie-in work, plot-wise, emotion-wise, gut-wise? Not sure. Maybe also a little too meandering for its own good. And an ending that feels like a fizzle.
A revitalization of the neo noir genre and populated by a fascinating portrayal by Micheal Shannon. This movie was immensely entertaining to me with it's odd cryptic windings. It's just strange enough to not only feel right, but captivate my attention.