"Bunny Lake is Missing" is a very good mystery thriller that deals with the desperate search of a young single mother for her 4 year old daughter (Bunny Lake) disappeared when left early at school in her very first day and no one seems having seen her (viewers don't either). The woman has just arrived in London to live with her brother and it comes the time when even the police doubts that the little girl really exists since all her things have also disappeared from her new home (or so says the mom).
Otto Preminger makes a fine job with a black and white photography that helps to create a most adequate sordid and gray atmosphere all along and a simple and intelligent direction that keeps a permanent interest on what is happening. It is true that if you pay attention to the action and dialogues you'll probably solve the mystery before it is revealed, but that doesn't hurt the picture that sustains tension up to the end.
Lawrence Olivier gives one of his usual acting lessons as the police inspector in charge of the case in a role that he handles with no effort. Carol Lynley as the tortured mother renders a fine performance oddly better in her dramatic sequences. Both Keir Dullea (as Lynley's overprotective brother) and Martita Hunt (as the former owner of the school) are also convincing in their parts. Always reliable Finlay Currie is also there in a small appearance as a doll maker.
In my opinion "Bunny Lake is Missing" is not a classic or perhaps not even a great film (in such range that will depend on each one's particular preferences), but no doubt it stands as a very good and enjoyable product in its genre far deserving more attention and recognition that those it received when it was first shown in theatres in the middle 60's.
Go for it if you missed it, you won't regret it.
Otto Preminger makes a fine job with a black and white photography that helps to create a most adequate sordid and gray atmosphere all along and a simple and intelligent direction that keeps a permanent interest on what is happening. It is true that if you pay attention to the action and dialogues you'll probably solve the mystery before it is revealed, but that doesn't hurt the picture that sustains tension up to the end.
Lawrence Olivier gives one of his usual acting lessons as the police inspector in charge of the case in a role that he handles with no effort. Carol Lynley as the tortured mother renders a fine performance oddly better in her dramatic sequences. Both Keir Dullea (as Lynley's overprotective brother) and Martita Hunt (as the former owner of the school) are also convincing in their parts. Always reliable Finlay Currie is also there in a small appearance as a doll maker.
In my opinion "Bunny Lake is Missing" is not a classic or perhaps not even a great film (in such range that will depend on each one's particular preferences), but no doubt it stands as a very good and enjoyable product in its genre far deserving more attention and recognition that those it received when it was first shown in theatres in the middle 60's.
Go for it if you missed it, you won't regret it.