Published Oct. 8, 2004 in The Kansas City Kansan newspaper, my review of a Julianne Moore motion picture is less than glowing. 

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By Steve Crum 

It is too bad The Forgotten is not nearly as good as it first seems to be. All the elements are there: a strong cast led by Julianne Moore; a grabber plot set-up involving madness and mayhem; and at least three on-screen jolts that will literally cause held popcorn bags to spill. 

Frankly, I thought about the movie for days after its screening. But my thoughts were knee-jerk based. I was still reacting to the director’s shock gimmicks that made me jump in spite of myself. One involves a slam-bang car wreck while another includes a man being rocketed through the roof of a house. In both cases, jolting sound effects are effectively used. Brother, are they!

The Forgotten, like its creepy movie cousins The Sixth Sense and The Others, is nearly impossible to review without giving away spoiler plot details. So please forgive me and be forewarned.

Director Joseph Ruben (Sleeping With the Enemy) and screenwriter Gerald Diego (Phenomenon) begin with a terrifying premise: What if a grieving young wife and mother, in this cast Telly Paretta (Moore), wakes up one day to find her husband Jim (Anthony Edwards) has no memory of their nine year-old son—a son who died in a plane crash 14 months ago?

Sam tells her she had a miscarriage and has fabricated the boy’s existence. Telly’s therapist, Dr. Munce (Gary Sinise), suggests this is all linked to a post-traumatic syndrome.

But Telly has photos in her boy’s still kept room that verify her belief. But why is it that since yesterday all the pictures are missing, and the framed portrait of husband, wife and son now excludes the son? And the son’s room is now a den? Pretty soon her husband will deny ever being married to her. Old friends are strangers. (In your mind, cue The Twilight Zone theme.)

 Lucky for Telly that she and her son frequented the children’s playground down the street, and she befriended Ash Correll (Dominic West) there. Ash’s daughter is Telly’s son’s best friend. Lo and behold, the girl was killed in a plane crash. Not so lucky after all. Ash now says he never had a daughter, and does not remember Telly, let alone her son.

Add to the mix that suited men flashing “National Security” badges are trying to arrest Telly. She is on the run from them. Factor in a police detective (Alfre Woodard) who starts believing Telly’s wild stories. What about that so-called Friendly Man (Linus Roache) who pops up wherever Telly is? (OK, now have your mind cue The Outer Limits music. Actually, James Horner wrote The Forgotten’s eerie score.)

Julianne Moore is very effective as the victimized Telly. It is truly her show, albeit one of constant running and frequent tears. Her frantic outbursts increase as she tries to convince others of her sanity. 

There are plenty of plot gaps and credibility lapses with The Forgotten. Satisfying explanations of the whys, whats, and whos are missing. Yet this X-Files type thriller has its moments. Make sure your chair has a seat belt. 

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GRADE on an A-F grid: C+