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Katie Burke (Katie Holmes) is under pressure trying to finish her thesis and preparing for her
final exams, at the same time attending job fairs to find work after she graduates. More pressure is added when Detective Wade Handler (Benjamin Bratt) visits her to find out
about a case he is on, the disappearance of Embry Langan (Charlie Hunman), her wealthy and enigmatic boyfriend, who has been missing for two years. As Wade comes back
regularly to question her, Katie thinks she has spotted Embry furtively spying on her, but not coming forward to talk. As she tries to catch him for a confrontation, she tells
Wade about his appearance. She also goes to her doctor for help about her rising tension. Why is Embry back? What is it that he wants with her?
Abandon is more of a suspense drama than a thriller as it is promoted to be. However, it still
lacks the necessary tension and suspense to keep viewer's continued interest. The focus of the story is not on Katie and Wade, but on her and Embry who comes later on the
scene. From the time he comes on, Katie's attention shifts to him, to the extent of affecting her schoolwork and emotional balance. The revelation and resolution of their
relationship comes at the end of the story. Not enough character background is given to Wade particularly, and Embry, who are important to the story. Katie Holmes shows she's
a serious actress. She ably tackles her role as an intelligent student, admirably passes her oral defense after turning in an impressive thesis. She also surprises the job
recruiters by her knowledge and answers and gets the position she wants. These, Katie Holmes is able to do as Kathie Burke does even during her emotional turmoil.
Although Katie is a psychotic case, she could take hold of herself when she wants to do
certain things. However, what she could not help is the lasting trauma that she developed when her father left her at a tender age. This pain that she carries, is going to be
her life-long problem as the movie suggests or implies at the end. The injury caused in a vulnerable child in the film, harks back to the need of a father and mother – husband
and wife – to do what they can to stay by each other as they have committed themselves to do, for the sake of their children. Doing this sincerely will eventually redound to
their own good. The movie goes on to show Katie about to start on her job, without giving a conclusive end to the story. This, with some violence, sexual situations and
profanity makes Abandon for viewers 14 and above.
(Date reviewed: February 21, 2003)
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