Scene Missing (2012)

Scene Missing Poster

The unfinished documentary about the making of Dennis Hopper's mostly unseen feature film The Last Movie (1971).

Film Overview
"Scene Missing" is a 2012 film directed by Tim Salkeld, written by Scott Wittman, and produced by Laura Plotkin. The movie stars John Avarese, Adam Darrow, Kori Donohue, Sabrina Glicken, and Chelsea Hamilton. The thriller follows the story of a former detective, who struggles to solve the case of a missing actress, as the examination leads him into a world of tricks, lies, and deceit.

Plot Summary
A former detective, Joe Turner (John Avarese), who was when an increasing star in the police, is now retired and grappling with the mysterious disappearance of his partner years back. With his life and profession shaken, Joe finds solace in alcohol and spends his time seeing old films from the comfort of his armchair. One night, while visiting a regional bar, Joe experiences Sarah Christianson (Kori Donohue), an ambitious starlet with a shocking resemblance to his missing wife.

Later on, Sarah admits to Joe that she thinks she is being stalked and followed for factors unknown. Joe's protective instincts start, and he can't help however be drawn to Sarah's case, seeing it as an opportunity to redeem himself and resolve the riddle of his better half's disappearance. Together with his previous partner, Frank (Adam Darrow), Joe begins an unofficial examination into Sarah's stalker, venturing into the dark underbelly of the film industry and slowly discovering that Sarah has her own tangled web of tricks.

As Joe digs deeper into the case, he comes across a series of uncanny coincidences that make him question his own sanity and perception of truth. The stalker ends up being a high-profile manufacturer, Vincent Horn (Sabrina Glicken), who has actually found several missing scenes from a timeless film, which are thought to hold hints to a surprise fortune. Consumed with the secret, Vincent kidnaps Sarah, thinking her to be the key to uncovering the lost treasure.

With time running out, Joe and Frank need to understand the cryptic ideas left by the missing out on scenes and attempt to rescue Sarah prior to it's far too late. In the process, they discover a massive conspiracy that spans the greatest tiers of the movie market, with an enigmatic figure known as "The Director" pulling the strings from the shadows.

Themes and Symbolism
"Scene Missing" explores themes of fascination, loss, and the inevitability of fact coming to light. The movie clearly depicts a lead character having a hard time to restore his sense of function in life and finding it in a case that mirrors his own personal catastrophe. Along with this, the movie delves into the deceptive nature of the film industry, where appearances can be tricking and individuals are typically more complex than the functions they play.

The film also delves into the blurred lines between truth and fiction. In a world where fiction is produced to amuse, "Scene Missing" demonstrates the harmful lengths individuals will go to in pursuit of wealth and recognition. The surprise scenes, which represent buried tricks and facts, act as a metaphor for the characters' personal lives and the bigger story of the film.

Reception
"Scene Missing" gathered favorable evaluations for its gripping story, fascinating visuals, and complex secret. Critics praised the film's smart screenplay, atmospheric settings, and gritty exploration of the power characteristics within the movie market. The strong efficiencies by the lead stars, especially John Avarese as the distressed previous investigator and Kori Donohue as the enigmatic Sarah, were also favored.

In general, "Scene Missing" offers an interesting, suspenseful experience for audiences who value the intricacy of storytelling. The movie is a traditional whodunit covered in layers of conspiracy, deception, and fascination, making it an enjoyable watch for any fan of film noir and thriller genres.

Top Cast

  • Dennis Hopper (small)
    Dennis Hopper
    Self
  • Paul Davies
    Self
  • Phil Thomas
    Self
  • Tomas Milian (small)
    Tomas Milian
    Self
  • Stewart Stern (small)
    Stewart Stern
    Self
  • Satya De La Manitou (small)
    Satya De La Manitou
    Self
  • Ned Tanen
    Self
  • Don Gordon (small)
    Don Gordon
    Self
  • Tod Davies
    Self
  • Henry Jaglom (small)
    Henry Jaglom
    Self
  • Samuel Fuller (small)
    Samuel Fuller
    Self