Not Forgotten (2009) Movie Review, Trailer, Film Still and Poster

USA 2009
Director: Dror Soref
Cast: Chloe Moretz, Simon Baker, Paz Vega, Michael DeLorenzo, Daniel Escobar, Zahn McClarnon
Rating: R
Release Date: 11 September 2009; 3 November 2009 (DVD)
Running Time: 1 hour 36 minutes

The Movie Review

Not Forgotten film still 1


NOT FORGOTTEN
Storyline:
Cast:
Ending:
Overall:

In a sleepy city called Del Rio in Texas located near the border of Mexico, a small girl, Toby (Chloë Moretz The Amityville Horror (2005)), is suddenly missing one day while playing soccer with her friends. Just as she goes to fetch the ball outside the fence, no trace of her is to be found except her right shoe.

Several days before the incident, Toby's seen stealing (Klepto-ing) a creepy thing belongs to a cult called Santa Muerte --which condemned by the Mexican church as Satanism-- but Toby never confesses that to anybody. Her father, Jack (Simon Baker) and her step-mother Amaya (Paz Vega) are aided by the local Sheriff and FBI are investigating things and their hunt leads to a sexual predator living nearby. However, Amaya starts to notice that even though Jack is constantly in panic but he secretly does certain things so sneakily and craftily. What is really happening to Toby? And what is Jack's secret?

Not Forgotten is a thriller movie moving quite slowly but it pays it off by filling it with suspense. Even up until 50 minutes into the movie, the suspense is even going stronger and full of mystery. The atmosphere is dark and is very different with other mainstream horror taking advantage of lavish production design or visual effects. The horror in Not Forgotten is raw and the filmmakers seemingly opted to imbue some low-key terror rather than outright gory. It takes advantage of the unique backdrop of a town in the border of Texas-Mexico, the neighborhood, the residents, the night club with all the topless prostitutes, the seedy motel and brothel, everything. The atmosphere is set to the almost-maximum effect.

Not Forgotten is a very serious thriller with a very interesting premise of which -- thankfully -- the filmmakers knows how to translate it into one darn fine thriller which is not only suspenseful but full of twists until the end. General or casual moviegoers might be tricked for several times till the end credits role, something that is already rare in thriller realm and instantly reminded me of the great Alfred Hitchcock. It's important to note, there are several violent scenes with especially one extra bloody scene which is probably too hard to take for the squeamish. The acting all around is splendid with Simon Baker practically takes over everything with such great transformation from a humble and kind man to a very nasty cold-blooded vengeful father. This is a great Indie film and it's so engaging that you figuratively don't want to press pause for any break!

> The thrill of the border : No Country for Old Man (2007) and Borderland (2007).