Sadly Over-hyped

Excellent but underrated film

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

An American couple arrive in Paris, and the wife soon goes missing. The French police aren't much help, the American embassy is tied up in red tape, and the hotel people think maybe she had a rendezvous with another man. Many mystery films of this nature have been made over the years. So, to be very good, such a film should excel in some things. Unfortunately, "Frantic" doesn't fit the bill. To begin with, much of this film is closed in – that is, shot in restricted surroundings, most likely on sets. There are no exciting chase scenes or elaborate situations filmed with crowds or on the streets. Just a few people fill out most scenes. That probably kept the cost down, but also makes it seem cheap. Harrison Ford can act in thrillers (Air Force One), but in this film he too often has the dumb look with the long pause of disbelief and wondering what to do next. It was okay occasionally in "Star Wars," but comes across quite goofy in this film. He's supposed to be a surgeon but he plays Dr. Richard Walker as slow-witted. This is one of those films that makes one want to shake the writers and director for some obviously dumb things in the plot. Everyone knows people can't hear one another at any distance with a shower running, so why didn't Sondra Walker walk into the bathroom to tell her husband about the phone call. Even worse, what woman would be so dumb as to be lured away from her husband to go the lobby to meet someone she didn't know? If the caller said he had her suitcase, she could easily have had a bellboy bring it up to the room. And, she didn't even take the wrong suitcase with her to meet the guy. These are plot holes and dumb situations that immediately distract one enough to conclude that this was a film with a very weak screenplay. Then there's Walker's delay in notifying anyone that his wife was missing. And, his refrained demeanor with the police and embassy people was interesting. Similar films have disturbed guys acting a little more forcefully to get results. This film can't compare with similar films -- in the plot, screenplay or acting. The only reason I give it five stars is for the fine singular performance of Emmanuelle Seigner as Michelle. I thought Roman Polanski could do much better than this – in writing and directing. Those who are inclined to compare "Frantic" with Alfred Hitchcock films should sober up. Hitchcock never did anything this weak and poor. Or, if he did, he saw it for what it was and didn't release it.

Roman Polanski's 'Frantic' is A Stunning Thriller, that left me spell-bound. Gripping, Intriguing & Nail-Biting, this late 1980's flick holds tremendous appeal.'Frantic' Synopsis: In a hotel room in Paris, a doctor comes out of the shower and finds that his wife has disappeared. He soon finds himself caught up in a world of intrigue, espionage, gangsters, drugs and murder.'Frantic' narrates a frightening story of a man's desperation, with flourish. The twists & turns are sharply written, while the suspense builds up beautifully. Also, the pacing, is pitch-perfect. Polanski & Gérard Brach's Screenplay is solid, offering a highly engaging story. Polanski's Direction is fantastic. He successfully creates a world of darkness. Cinematography is excellent. Editing is well-done.Performance-Wise: Harrison Ford delivers the most challenging performance of his career. He's astonishing in here. Emmanuelle Seigner looks gorgeous & performs naturally. Betty Buckley is hugely effective. John Mahoney is subtle. David Huddleston is impressive.On the whole, 'Frantic' is a great watch!

Well, i have always liked international production that happens in Paris (except those of Allen and now this is definitive !). Here, you got a giant American actor, Harrison, a pleasant french newcomer, Emmanuelle Seigner, a polish director, one of the best Italian composer, Morricone. This movie was done a quarter of century ago but Paris is really this old movie that stays the same. Here,you have the total package as you go from a famous hotel to normal Parisians accommodations as Dede or Michelle's studio look like mine. Nothing is modern, it's small. If the future « Taken » has plundered « Frantic », it has forgotten the best, the psychological disorientation. If Indiana Jones has the same stature as Qui Kong, Harrisson doesn't really uses the whip but rather the shoes of Dr. Jones. In other words, Harrisson is impressive playing a shy, goofy, lost but really determined husband ! His search is all the more thrilling as it's seems authentic : it's not a compilation of kung fu, gunfights but a trail of clues in the city of (dark) lights! Finally, it prefigures "Da Vinci Code" in which religion would have been changed for spy.

I can only assume that the title of this movie refers to the situation of the script writers who, at the last hour, had no script, and so just threw this together before fleeing to some other country.The actions of the main character, played by Harrison Ford, make no sense, Even a very frantic man would not make so many foolish choices.Nor would he survive so many close calls with death.And then there is the implication that he will at some point have an affair, or at least one roll in the hay, with the young female punk. This is no doubt to titillate viewers who would not be titillated by the thought of Harrison Ford having sex with a woman his own age, like the actress who plays his wife. (Remember that it was directed by Roman Polanski.) Of course, Ford's character never does have sex with the young woman, so that's just another red herring.There are also no good shots of Paris here. It could just as well be set in Hoboken, for all we get in terms of good location shots.This movie truly has nothing to recommend it.