Abandon
Rated PG-13 for drug and alcohol content, sexuality, some violence and language.
reviewed by Christopher Lyon
As with her character in “Dawson’s Creek,” the undeniably cute Katie Holmes has graduated in the movies, too. She’s gone from playing complicated and morally compromised high school students to complicated and morally compromised college students. Billed as a “psychological thriller,” “Abandon” is one of the first movie’s she’s been asked to carry on her own.
The Story
When a recovering addict police detective (Benjamin Bratt) is assigned to investigate the two-year-old disappearance of a wealthy college student, he questions the student’s girlfriend. Katie Burke (Holmes) hasn’t seen Embry since he walked away from their Ivy League university two years ago.
The detective’s questions about Embry add to Katie’s already overwhelming stress. She’s supposed to graduating, but she can’t seem to finish her thesis. She’s interviewing for a job with a high-power investment firm. She can’t sleep. And, to top it off, someone who looks a lot like Embry seems to be stalking her.
While Katie tries to cope, the detective tries to figure out what’s really going on with this girl and what really happened to Embry.
The Verdict
“Abandon” is one of those movies that wants to sneak up on you with a surprising ending. The problem is this. Either you’ll see the big surprise coming from near the beginning of the film, and you’ll be disappointed with its predictability. Or you won’t see it coming and nothing will make sense until the movie is over.
Movies like “Sixth Sense” and “Beautiful Mind” were able to play this game well, because the movies themselves were well done in addition to the big, secret plot twist. They had great characters, writing, and acting. The director of “Abandon” reaches to fill that gap with “psychological” tension and lots of moody filming. But all along, the movie just felt icky to me.
Part of that is because Katie’s life is ultimately hopeless. Still struggling with the “Abandon”ment of her father when she was a little girl, Katie deals with stress through alcohol, drug use, and being a perfectionist. And she tries to use her relationships with Embry and the detective to help her overcome the loss of her dad. (Yup, it’s Psych 101 in Theater 6.)
The PG-13 rating is well-earned with scenes of extended drug use, alcohol abuse, bad language, and no less than three sex scenes (including an attempted rape).
Worldview
Obviously, I’m not recommending this movie or it’s handling of the sensitive issue of girls who suffer from the loss of fathers. It’s something many, many women deal with. Dads who leave, neglect, or abuse their daughters do unspeakable damage. The consequences can last a lifetime (and be much worse than the far-outcome of this film).
Fortunately, many women find help and comfort in the love of a Father who will never leave or abandon them. Through faith in Jesus, God becomes a father to the fatherless (Psalm 68:5). And when His fatherly comfort and protection is received, women no longer feel as strong a need to trade themselves for masculine love. Instead, they can wait for a man who is also committed to the Father and who will love them as He does.
Guys, I hope you are passionate about becoming men who are faithful to wives, daughters, and sons. God calls you to imitate Him in the way He never leaves. Don’t waver in that commitment.
Discussion Questions
• When did you figure out what was going on?
• How did the movie make you feel?
• Are you a Katie Holmes fan? Why or why not?
• Do you think women naturally long for the love of a father or is that all flaky pop psychology?
• What are three consequences for a family when the dad abandons them?
• How can a relationship with God through Jesus bring healing to those who feel abandoned?
Let us know what you thought of this review!
