SimonJack 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.

Predrag Harrison Ford has made something of a career of playing earnest, middle-aged professionals whose successful lives are turned over. Ford himself does not come under personal suspicion here, and the action is a little slower, but you can see why the producers of the later film might have looked at this one and said "That's our Richard Kimble!" What it lacks in raw energy it makes up in director Roman Polanski's extremely well-observed footage of Paris, and it plays well on the frustration that Ford's character feels at being unable to speak French. There are some terrific scenes; Ford's adventures on the roof as mentioned above, him trying to 'buy' drugs in the nightclub, and, best of all, Ford and Seigner 'dancing' in the second nightclub towards the end - a wonderfully funny scene.This film feels very French, including Polanski's (right) decision not to subtitle the bits of French dialogue, despite being largely about Americans abroad, right down to the twist ending (which I won't give away), which let me with a suitably Gallic feeling of hopelessness. The story keeps you on your feet and you find yourself begging to find out what will happen next. Even better is that it's got the come back factor, leave it for a year and come back to it, it's nearly as exciting as seeing it for the first time. The thrum of a neatly designed Paris puts a near surreal edge on the atmosphere, and Ford is terrific as the American abroad shifting often between paranoia, frustration and panic. The appearance of the Statue of Liberty on the Seine outside the window of the boat cabin in Polanski is as magical and memorable an image as the Mount Rushmore finale in Hitchcock. To me, this is a pure magic!Overall rating: 9 out of 10.

LeonLouisRicci It's all Mood and Tension from Director Roman Polanski, at a Lethargic Pace that some Moderns might Find Too Slow. But if one can Go With the Flow of this Taut Tale of Hitchcockian Misdirection and Wrong Place and Wrong Time Conceit, the Film Engages.Harrison Ford is the Driven Husband out to find His Wife who Wandered Off, or so it Seems, after Their Arrival in Paris. Polanski's Film is Smart and Mature with a Sophistication not usually found in Thrillers. Conversations are Drawn Out for Maximum Stress, both on the Phone and in Person, and sometimes Things are Taken to the Breaking Point. In the First Half, it is the Uncertainty of the situation that Causes Concern and in the Second Half once Things become Known it is just more Cause for Concern.Reaching a Fever Pitch in the End but the Thrill Ride getting there Does Not End Quickly and once Again the Tension is Stretched to the Limit. It's a Nerve Racking Film as was intended and there isn't much Relief throughout the Two Hour Running Time. Overall, the Film comes off as something Very Different and is an Offbeat Entertainment for those Seeking Artistic Filmmaking at its Best. Note...The eerie serpentine Score by Ennio Morricone effectively underlines the mood and some Reggae and Club Songs also add to the atmosphere

Spikeopath Frantic is directed by Roman Polanski who also co-writes the screenplay with Gerard Brach. It stars Harrison Ford, Betty Buckley, Emmanuelle Seigner, John Mahoney, Jimmie Ray Weeks, Yorgo Voyagis and David Huddleston. Music is scored by Ennio Morricone and cinematography by Witold Sobocinski.Visiting Paris for a medical convention with his wife, Dr. Richard Walker's (Ford) life is turned upside down when his wife disappears, apparently the victim of a kidnapping. Exasperated by the lack of help from the authorities, Walker takes to the streets himself and chases down a clue left in a suitcase mistakenly picked up by the Walker's at the airport.For the most part Frantic is a tense and well scripted Hitchcockian thriller. The thrum of a neatly designed Paris puts a near surreal edge on the atmosphere, and Ford is terrific as the American abroad shifting often between paranoia, frustration and panic. The insertion of Seigner as a sexy side-kick works well in spite of the actress not being blessed with much talent, and the slow burn approach, as the duo trawl through the hazy maze of possibilities, is handled with great skill by Polanski. If only the ending wasn't such a damp squib! It lacks credibility or any kind of suspense and doesn't pay off on the good work played out previously. A shame because this is still an otherwise damn fine mystery thriller. 7/10