The Clearing (2004)

Wayne and Eileen Hayes, played by Robert Redford and Dame Helen Mirren, are the embodiment of the American Dream. Having weathered storms together, they raised two children and painstakingly built a successful car rental empire from scratch. Their life, a magnificent tapestry woven with threads of luxury and wealth, promised a serene and comfortable retirement. But the tranquility they envisioned dissipates into thin air when their world is violently shaken by an unforeseen calamity. Their days of peace shatter like fragile glass when Arnold Mack, played by Willem Dafoe, a disgruntled former employee, orchestrates a daylight abduction of Wayne at gunpoint. The grandeur of their mansion in Pittsburgh becomes a mere backdrop to this terrifying ordeal, as their home is overrun by F.B.I. agents, their lives laid bare under the harsh light of scrutiny. In the hushed echoes of the remote forest where Wayne is held captive, the once successful businessman finds himself in the most crucial negotiation of his life. His seasoned skills are put to the ultimate test against a nervous yet ruthless kidnapper, who teeters on the brink of desperation with nothing to lose and everything to gain. Meanwhile, Eileen, her heart a battlefield of fear and determination, works frantically with the F.B.I. to orchestrate his safe return. As the sands of time slip away, each passing hour becomes a poignant reminder of their unspoken commitment to each other. The ordeal, terrifying as it may be, forces Wayne and Eileen to reevaluate their marriage, a reassessment that deepens their bond, magnifying the urgency of Wayne's return. The Clearing is not just a tale of an abduction; it is an exploration of love under duress, a testament to human resilience, and a vivid portrait of a marriage in crisis.

The Clearing is a drama movie featuring Robert Redford and directed by Pieter Jan Brugge.

It is possible to buy The Clearing on AMC on Demand, Amazon Video, Apple TV, DIRECTV, Google Play Movies, Vudu and YouTube.