R.I.F. (2011) Poster

(2011)

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7/10
Another take on lost wife-story
OJT6 December 2015
A police man takes his wife and 10 year old son out on a long deserved holiday into a rural district in France. A wild hog runs out in front of the car, and after a violent hit on the breaks, the car won't start again, and there's no mobile connection. They get hike with a strange guy driving a pickup, scrutinizing the wife. The wife is left on the gas station as the police man and his son gets off to fetch the car with a towing service, and when they arrive back at the gas station, his wife is gone.

This is the start of this fine French thriller, reminding somewhat of the brilliant "Tell no one". This is not of th same quality, but still good and interesting. The unfolding of the mystery is quite realistic in how such a case would unfold. With suspicions, despair, misunderstandings and little things being scrutinized by the police.

This is the first feature directed I see by this author, Franck Mancuso, which is better known for his script writing than directional work. The film is kept in a bleak color, almost Nordic noir alike, with hand held camera. Another take on what happens when "a lady vanishes". It's tense, mysterious and unravels slowly as we feel both the tension and get to know the truth.

A well made thriller, which is very close to what could happen in such a situation. Beliavable in all ways. A recommended watch if you're out for a thriller.
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Or Rather Interesting Formula
searchanddestroy-110 September 2011
Warning: Spoilers
For his second feature as a director, Frank Mancuso - an ex policeman - shows the tale of a cop who finds himself in total distress. A man with everything around him falling apart, collapsing. We can remember his first film starring Jean Dujardin, playing here again a cop. Our lead in RIF is Yvan Attal in another brilliant performance. The story begins in the same way as Jonathan Mostow's BREAKDOWN, Philip Leacock's DYING ROOM ONLY, or I don't remember the director's name's LA MEUTE. The lead character leaves his wife at a gas station - or a restaurant for the two other movies - because of a mechanical problem with his car, and the wife suddenly disappears in the thin air...

The screenplay doesn't give many surprises, except the very end, so depressing. But the film is intriguing and worthwhile. No lenght or boredom.
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8/10
Strong french thriller
dakjets6 April 2016
This french film has a storyline we have seen many times before; wife goes missing. For example Roman Polanskis Frantic with Harrison Ford. This down-to-earth thriller is very well made, and in addition to be a exciting thriller, also contains a investigator plot that is convincing too. This film is simple made, but manages to build up the suspense. The strong casting pulls it off to, especially the tormented husband and father who delivers a strong and compelling performance in his search for his missing wife. The low rating for this film is therefore a mystery for me. Don't take any notice and rent it today. You won't be disappointed.
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The lady vanishes
dbdumonteil11 August 2014
Warning: Spoilers
A breakdown on the road;by the time the husband (and his little boy) go to a car repair shop,the wife has disappeared .As the couple's marriage seemed to be on the rocks (they had a quarrel just before she disappeared),the man becomes a suspect.

Although rather derivative,a good suspense is sustained throughout;many wrong tracks ,many new developments ,good supporting characters ;even if the solution is a little disappointing ,the very last scene ,avoiding mawkish melodrama ,is very poetic if tragic. SPOILER The main flaw concerns the central character: although Yvan Attal does an effective work,the director (and the screenwriters) should have showed a more ambiguous father :after all,he might be behind this disappearance.It is almost impossible to believe this father (an embittered cop) might possibly be a criminal.

All in all,this is a good thriller,and the video tapes ,although already used a hundred times or more ,does the trick.

Like this? Try these....

"So long at the fair" (Fisher ,1950)

"Spoorloos" (Sluizer,1988)

"Breakdown" (Mostow,1997)
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