X
  • 1983
  • PG
  • Twentieth Century Fox
  • 2 h
  • 1983
  • PG
  • Twentieth Century Fox
  • 2 h

Summary This film, centering on a child's abduction, casts Kate Nelligan as the distraught mother who lashes out at the police (in the person of a relentless detective played by Judd Hirsch), who treat her and her husband as suspects, even as she hounds them to find her child and drives away her husband (David Dukes) and friends (including Stock...

Directed By: Stanley R. Jaffe

Written By: Beth Gutcheon

  • 1983
  • PG
  • Twentieth Century Fox
  • 2 h
  • 1983
  • PG
  • Twentieth Century Fox
  • 2 h

Without a Trace

Metascore Mixed or Average Based on 8 Critic Reviews
60
User Score Available after 4 ratings
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Summary This film, centering on a child's abduction, casts Kate Nelligan as the distraught mother who lashes out at the police (in the person of a relentless detective played by Judd Hirsch), who treat her and her husband as suspects, even as she hounds them to find her child and drives away her husband (David Dukes) and friends (including Stock...

Directed By: Stanley R. Jaffe

Written By: Beth Gutcheon

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 8 Critic Reviews
60
38% Positive
3 Reviews
63% Mixed
5 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 8 Critic Reviews
60
38% Positive
3 Reviews
63% Mixed
5 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
88
This is a movie that didn't have to be well made --its emotional impact has been assured by the daily news. But Jaffe took care. He made a solid Hollywood movie of a story that is terribly sad. He plays the heartstrings like a virtuoso, and that's not always a bad thing. [07 Feb 1983, p.C6]
By Bill Cosford FULL REVIEW
75
As producer of Goodbye Columbus and Kramer vs. Kramer, Stanley Jaffe has proved his understanding of human relationships. As a first-time director, he seems overly attentive to everyday detail. But he handles his actors with skill, evoking a beautifully sustained performance from Kate Nelligan as the mother who would not abandon hope. [07 Feb 1983]
By Bob Thomas FULL REVIEW
70
What makes Without a Trace important is the powerful, intelligent, seismic-sensitive performance of Kate Nelligan as Alex's mother. Nelligan literally creates the film's real theme -- the nightmare emotional world the victims of such crimes are plunged into. [07 Feb 1983, p.69]
By Jack Kroll FULL REVIEW
50
A schematic, often contrived look at an important subject. [17 Feb 1983, p.19]
FULL REVIEW
50
Without a Trace provides little sustenance. It keeps serving up overprepared tidbits of torment when you'd prefer to get down to a main course. [04 Feb 1983, p.C4]
By Gary Arnold FULL REVIEW
50
The story is told with uncharacteristic restraint and benefits from fine performances by Nelligan and Hirsch.
FULL REVIEW
50
If Jaffe's previous production credits aren't sufficient warning that this is one for Sensitive Drama suckers, the opening shot's a giveaway.
FULL REVIEW

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Details

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Production Company Twentieth Century Fox
Release Date Feb 4, 1983
Duration 2 h
Rating PG
Genres
Tagline One morning, Alex Selky got dressed, waved goodbye to his mother, set off for school and disappeared.
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