Reclaim (film)

Reclaim
Directed by Alan White
Produced by Brian R. Etting
Josh Etting
Ian Sutherland
Robert Luketic
Gary Hamilton
Mike Gabrawy
Fredrik Malmberg
Silvio Muraglia
Written by Carmine Gaeta
Luke Davies
Starring John Cusack
Ryan Phillippe
Rachelle Lefevre
with Luis Guzman
and Jacki Weaver
Music by Inon Zur
Cinematography Scott Kevan
Edited by Doobie White
Scott D. Hanson
Production
company
Grindstone Entertainment Group
Asia Tropical Films
Beijing Shuijing Shenlan International Media Co.
Garlin Pictures
Paradox Entertainment
Arclight Films
Origin Productions
120 dB Films
Reclaim Productions Pty. Ltd.
Distributed by Lionsgate
Release date
  • September 19, 2014 (2014-09-19) (United States)
Country China
Malaysia
United States
Language English

Reclaim is a drama-thriller directed by Alan White, and starring Ryan Phillippe and Rachelle Lefevre. The film was released on video on demand, with a simultaneous limited theatrical release in the United States, on September 19, 2014.[1] Phillippe and Lefevre play an American couple who travel to Puerto Rico to adopt an orphan (Briana Roy), and become entangled in a deadly scam.

Plot

After a car accident that left her unable to have children, Shannon (Rachelle Lefevre) and her husband, Steven (Ryan Phillippe), decide to adopt a Haitian girl, Nina, orphaned after the 2010 earthquake, through the IRA (International Rescue Adoption), an organization run by Gabrielle Reigert (Jacki Weaver) and based in Puerto Rico. Having paid $60,000, the two move to a resort while they wait for Nina's United States passport to arrive. Steven takes an instant dislike at his neighbors, Benjamin (John Cusack), Salo (Jandres Burgos), and Paola (Veronica Faye Foo), especially after a misunderstanding with Salo at a bar, where he tells them about Nina, leads to a fight.

Two days after the adoption, the couple wakes up to discover that Nina has disappeared. They begin their search and contact a policeman (Luis Guzmán) who tells them that their adoption documents are not recorded, while the IRA's headquarters in Old San Juan has been deserted. Steven admits that Reigert had demanded an additional $30,000 as part of the adoption cost, which he did not tell to Shannon beforehand. Benjamin then suggests that the IRA is a confidence schemer which offers orphans to unsuspecting couples in exchange for a hefty sum of money, only to take them away just a few days afterward. That night, Steven and Shannon are kidnapped by Benjamin and his aides, who reveal themselves to be child traffickers working for Reigert. Holding Nina, they force the couple to send their entire savings, which is largely compensation for the car accident that left them unable to conceive.

The next day, Steven heads to the bank at gunpoint to collect the savings. Having taken note that Benjamin's mansion was in Maunabo, he escapes back to the mansion with the money from Salo. Meanwhile, Shannon breaks free from her captivity, takes Nina, then distracts Paola long enough for Steven to take her gun and vehicle to facilitate his escape with his wife and Nina. They are pursued by Benjamin and Salo, though the latter is killed when a truck hits his car. After a chase, Benjamin crashes his car and is presumed dead, while the couple and Nina narrowly avoid falling from a steep cliff.

The three are escorted back by the policeman, but he is killed by Benjamin who, having survived his crash, knocks Steven unconscious before taking them to Riegert's villa. A dispute regarding his shares of the money causes Benjamin to shoot Riegert dead. Steven recovers and follows Benjamin, who chases Shannon and Nina into a decrepit building. Just before he is able to murder Shannon, Steven arrives and kills Benjamin. The couple then convinces Nina, traumatized by the incident, to put down the gun she took and live with them.

The film ends with a text showing the viewers that 1.2 million children are being trafficked each year with a quote: "They are invisible and they are everywhere."

Cast

Production

Plans to film Reclaim were announced in 2013 and White was set to direct the film, which was initially intended to take place in Australia.[2] This was later changed after Screen Australia declined the film's investment pitch and the filming and setting was changed to take place in Puerto Rico.[3] Filming took place in late 2013 over a period of 23 days, which Lefevre has described as "intense".[4][3] Child actress Roy commented on her role, stating that she found the hardest part to be "speaking all the languages, French, Creole and English.“[5]

Reception

Critical reception for Reclaim has been predominantly negative and as of December 14, 2014, the film holds a rating of 0% on Rotten Tomatoes (based on 9 reviews) and 26 on Metacritic (based on 7 reviews).[6][7] Much of the negative criticism centered around the film's plot,[8] which many reviewers found too overly familiar and formulaic.[9][10] Reviewers did praise the film's acting and scenery,[11] with The Hollywood Reporter highlighting child star Brianna Roy out as a highlight.[12] The Los Angeles Times criticized the movie for its script, writing "Carmine Gaeta and Luke Davies' screenplay is constructed from plot mechanics, and the emotional stakes grow less convincing with every twist of the screw."[13]

References

  1. ↑ Davis, Edward. "Watch: Rachelle Lefevre Gets Scammed In Clip From Thriller 'Reclaim'". IndieWire. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  2. ↑ Groves, Dan. "Alan White set to direct Australian thriller Reclaim". SBS. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  3. 1 2 Groves, Dan. "Australia loses Reclaim". If.com.au. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  4. ↑ Ge, Linda. "Rachelle Lefevre on ‘Reclaim’ Shoot With ‘Shirtless’ Ryan Phillippe, ‘Creepy’ John Cusack: It Was Super Intense". The Wrap. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  5. ↑ Petrillo, Lisa. "Hollywood Spotlight Shines Bright On Miami Girl In Film "Reclaim"". CBS Miami. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Reclaim (2014)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Reclaim". Metacritic. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  8. ↑ Weitzman, Elizabeth. "Film reviews: ‘Reclaim,’ ‘Tracks’". New York Daily News. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  9. ↑ Harvey, Dennis. "Film Review: ‘Reclaim’". Variety. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  10. ↑ Hunt, Drew. "FILM REVIEW: Reclaim". Slant Magazine. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  11. ↑ Webster, Andy. "Looking to Adopt, but Finding Trouble". The New York Times. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  12. ↑ Scheck, Frank. "'Reclaim': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  13. ↑ Linden, Sheri. "'Reclaim' tosses away all credibility". LA Times. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
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