Released in 2004 and directed by Joseph Ruben, "The Forgotten" tells the story of Telly (Julianne Moore), a mother who discovers that all evidence of her nine-year-old son’s existence has vanished—photos, videos, documents, even people's memories. Her husband and psychologist insist she is imagining things, but she knows something isn't right. This sets off a thrilling search for the truth, which involves teaming up with Ash (Dominic West) and encountering NSA agents along the way. Reviews of "The Forgotten" are quite divided, though that’s not always a bad thing since some of the most interesting works of art tend to provoke strong reactions. The film does have shortcomings, and those who dislike it focus on these flaws. In terms of style, it resembles “The Mothman Prophesies” (2002), but isn't as well-developed or artistic. There are similarities to "The X-Files," with the two main characters—a female redhead—searching for answers in a sci-fi/mystery story that involves government secrets. I started watching it only half-attentive because of the mixed reviews, but my interest piqued when Telly (Moore) confronted Ash (West) and they began working together. Ash is an ex-NHL player who’s turned to alcohol after some tragic event caused him to abandon his life. What happened that led him down this path? You'll have to watch to find out. It reminded me of the great masculine actors of the past, like Charlton Heston, Clint Eastwood, Burt Reynolds and even Marlon Brando—they just had something special that made you notice them on screen. Dominic West is an actor with a similar presence; he’s reminiscent of James Remar, who played Ajax in "The Warriors" (1979). The subplot about Ash's alcoholism resonated with me because I know talented people who have given up and succumbed to alcohol, essentially wasting their potential—and I’ve occasionally been tempted to give up myself. It’s something many can probably relate to. As a sci-fi/mystery film, the explanation (no spoilers) is pretty far-fetched, though not entirely unbelievable. "Flightplan" (2005) was another movie with a similar theme; its explanation wasn't outlandish, just completely implausible. If you can’t handle something that stretches believability, then “The Forgotten” might not be for you. At its core, "The Forgotten" is about the conflict between love and cold analytical thought. I tend to fall somewhere in between those two extremes. It's a dynamic that made Spock so compelling—remember the Star Trek episode "This Side of Paradise," where he experienced love for the first time and felt truly happy? “The Forgotten” depicts a tortuous struggle with the possibility of triumph, for both Telly and Ash. While logic is important, love is more powerful—and warmer, and life-affirming. The film is fairly short, running just one hour and twenty-six minutes. The DVD includes an extended cut with an alternate ending that portrays the possible conspiracy as less sinister. It’s best to watch the theatrical version first, then simply view the deleted scenes and the alternate ending (unless you want to watch the whole thing twice). I will say this: the kissing scene should have been kept in; it worked well. The filmmakers perhaps didn't want to suggest that Telly might be having an affair, which is understandable. Don’t pay attention to those who didn’t appreciate “The Forgotten.” They simply rely too heavily on logic, but they don't have to. :) The movie runs one hour and thirty-nine minutes and was filmed in the New York City area. The writer was Gerald Di Pego. GRADE: B/B-

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