"Captive" is successful in avoiding the potential of a trite Lifetime film or an evangelical tract. It takes a familiar film theme of a woman held hostage by a brutal killer and humanizes the characters with remarkable depth.
The film is based on the true story of Ashley Smith, who was held captive by a Brian Nichols, who had just critically wounded a police officer and murdered a judge, court reporter, and two other bystanders in cold blood. As explained in the excellent behind-the-scenes segment in the DVD, the screenwriter, director, and actors worked hard to evoke the "miracle" of the release of Smith as a hostage and the decision of Nichols to surrender to the authorities in Atlanta.
The film downplays the moments when Smith reads aloud from a self-help/religious book to Nichols. Rather, the focus is on the moments of self-revelation of both characters--Nichols as a killer and Smith as a drug addict. The bonding of the two characters in the apartment is the most memorable part of the film.
Two outstanding performances are delivered by Kate Mara and David Oyelowo as Smith and Nichols. The acting is so good that one inevitably wants to see other films of these exemplary actors. In the DVD bonus segment, the most articulate of all of the film artists is Oyelowo, who describes the film as "two people finding light in the darkest places." The cast is rounded out with excellent work from Mimi Rogers as Smith's aunt and Michael K. Williams at the Atlanta police chief.
Ashley Smith served as a consultant on the film. But it is clear that Mara and Oyelowo were truly dedicated to plummeting the depths of the characters, who discover redemption in two starkly different paths of their lives.
The film is based on the true story of Ashley Smith, who was held captive by a Brian Nichols, who had just critically wounded a police officer and murdered a judge, court reporter, and two other bystanders in cold blood. As explained in the excellent behind-the-scenes segment in the DVD, the screenwriter, director, and actors worked hard to evoke the "miracle" of the release of Smith as a hostage and the decision of Nichols to surrender to the authorities in Atlanta.
The film downplays the moments when Smith reads aloud from a self-help/religious book to Nichols. Rather, the focus is on the moments of self-revelation of both characters--Nichols as a killer and Smith as a drug addict. The bonding of the two characters in the apartment is the most memorable part of the film.
Two outstanding performances are delivered by Kate Mara and David Oyelowo as Smith and Nichols. The acting is so good that one inevitably wants to see other films of these exemplary actors. In the DVD bonus segment, the most articulate of all of the film artists is Oyelowo, who describes the film as "two people finding light in the darkest places." The cast is rounded out with excellent work from Mimi Rogers as Smith's aunt and Michael K. Williams at the Atlanta police chief.
Ashley Smith served as a consultant on the film. But it is clear that Mara and Oyelowo were truly dedicated to plummeting the depths of the characters, who discover redemption in two starkly different paths of their lives.