Without a Trace (1983) * * * 1/2

 

Directed by:  Stanley Jaffe

Starring:  Kate Nelligan, Judd Hirsch, David Dukes, Stockard Channing, Danny Corkill

Six-year-old Alex Selky (Corkill) walks to school each morning and returns home each afternoon like clockwork.  One day, this is not the case.  Alex sets off for school and disappears.  His mother Susan (Nelligan) and her ex-husband Graham (Dukes) call the neighbors and friends with no luck.  The NYPD is assigned to the case and set up shop at Susan's apartment.   Detective Al Menetti (Hirsch) doggedly follows each lead, no matter how unlikely it may lead to anything, but as the hours turn into days which turn into weeks, Menetti has to explain why the police will no longer camp out at Susan's apartment due to budgetary restraints.  The NYPD has other cases to solve.  Menetti is sympathetic and determined, but he is also a realist who understands Susan's son may never come home. 

Without a Trace does not tell its story in a heavy-handed or melodramatic manner.  It doesn't turn its characters into superheroes, but it sees them as human and sometimes flawed.   Kate Nelligan's performance as Susan is all the more powerful because she tries to hold herself together in the wake of a devastating development.   She is not one to exhibit histrionics, but instead tries to be civil, understanding of others' points of view, and restrained under the circumstances.   Her ex-husband is more demonstrative with his emotions, which range from anger over his son's disappearance to guilt over his divorce from Susan.   Without a Trace treats its subjects with complexity and insight, seeing all sides of the issue.  

Because Without a Trace doesn't play every scene for an emotional payoff, the ending is that much more powerful and the emotions it stirs are earned.  Hirsch tries his best to be as honest and forthright as possible when dealing with the Selky family, but this requires telling them things they don't want to hear.  A subtle message to "move on" is delivered not just by Menetti but by Susan's friends and even her ex-husband.  Susan maintains her hope and resolve under the most trying of circumstances.  Without a Trace invites overdramatization and overacting, but the movie wonderfully exercises restraint while maintaining its passion.