Fest Track On Sirk TV Film Review: KIDNAPPING INC. [Sundance Film Festival 2024 - Park City, Utah]

The context of a action comedy based in the crime world of politics is an interesting basis especially when set against the backdrop of Haiti. What "Kidnapping Inc." [Midnight] finds in its balance is a blend of Keystone Cops humor with a bit of "Bad Boys" thrown in. Doc (Samuel Andri) and Zoe (Rolaphton Mercure) play the would-be bumbling gangsters trying to pull off a kidnapping on the island not quite understanding its gravity or perhaps the chess board at play. What is really dynamic as the film goes on is the empathy in certain ways of these characters despite some hapless decisions (some their fault but others by way of circumstance). Doc is the more conscientious which his name actually make reference to his training in some way shape or form to the medical profession. He just wants to get out and this is the last in the train of jobs to his retirement. He has a lived- in feel and bears a passing chill resemblance to Jay Z. Zoe by contrast is a live-by-the-seat-of-his-pants type of guy who almost doesn't realize the gravity of what he does. At the inset, he does something stupid that causes the entire plot to snowball, belying a bigger political election intrigue subplot.

Outside their world, everyone is vying for their piece of the pie, despite no one really having control. The gangsters are trying to run the money as are the corrupt cops. Even the person on top of the heap has an agenda though he does well in hiding it as the movie unfolds. Everyone's motivations are suspect which is what makes the film work. They seem like they care but they don't which is why some of Doc and Zoe's actions later on create that contrast of empathy which gives their path meaning, however fatal it might be. After failing to cover up their tracks or even make sure of the full condition of their mark, things get worse. It is at this point, the movie takes a subtle sidetrack with a husband and wife who finds themselves hijacked.

The almost vaudevillian context of the scenes here take over and the film becomes lighter but loses part of its reality. The aspect of danger and stakes are there but, despite being entertaining, the film keeps ping-ponging back and forth (almost to fill time) until the clock starts running out. Granted the hunter becomes the hunted (as always happens sometimes in these movies) but again the vaudeville/slapstick nature of the otherwise slick action scenes wins out. It however is not overt or really verbal comedy...the understone is still dark but it gives the film an uneven feel. This thwarts it back in the final minutes as the aspect of public opinion keys into the conclusion of this game per se. But by that time, those who we might have cared about are gone in one way or another. B

By Tim Wassberg