Review: The Stolen

Set in 1860, The Stolen begins with London-born Charlotte Lockton (Alice Eve) settling into her new life in the South Island of New Zealand. She seems delicate, not only because she's pregnant, but there's something in the way that she blithely goes along with but completely disregards her husband David's (Lukas Hinch) attempts to teach her how to shoot a rifle that suggests she's too used to the comforts of her life to be aware of the dangers of her surroundings.

Three months later, the familial bliss is destroyed when a group of masked and armed men break into their home, steal their newborn baby, and murder David. After several months of investigating, the authorities advise her to move on. Her hopes of reuniting with her child are revived when she receives a letter in the mail containing a photograph of her son and a ransom demand, motivating her to undertake a dangerous journey to the mining community of Goldtown, where she believes her child is being held. This means buying herself a place on a wagon with ex-cons, prostitutes, and a Maori warrior, most of whom underestimate her increasing strength of character.

Indeed, one of the more successful elements of Emily Corcoran and director Niall Johnson's screenplay is its fairly realistic depiction of Charlotte's trajectory from prim and proper English rose to a formidable figure who is powered by her inner will and determination. Eve is fantastic as Charlotte musters up the strength to confront every obstacle placed in her way, whether it be the sneers and jeers of her fellow travellers, the perils present in the rugged terrain, or her own self-doubt.

Unfortunately, whilst The Stolen is beautiful to look at and its location well-used by Johnson, it feels slightly removed from itself, as if it wasn't quite invested in what it had to say. That disengagement also manifests itself in the other characters, most of whom are depicted in broad strokes, as well as the overall narrative itself, which is patchy and incoherent.

The Stolen

Directed by: Niall Johnson

Written by: Emily Corcoran, Niall Johnson

Starring: Alice Eve, Jack Davenport, Graham McTavish, Richard O'Brien, Cohen Holloway, Stan Walker, Glen Levy, Gillian MacGregor, Lukas Hinch