Stolen (2009 drama film)

Plot

A small-town policeman works to uncover the truth behind two crimes: the disappearance of his son eight years earlier, and a fifty-year-old homicide of another boy. In the opening scenes, a mummified corpse is unearthed at a construction site. At first the policeman fears and welcomes closure to the search for his son; however, pathology demonstrates that these are the remains from a much older crime. The film continues with parallel stories in flashback, showing the events leading to the crimes and the investigation. Work has become an obsession for Detective Tom Adkins (Jon Hamm) since the disappearance of his ten-year-old son, Tommy Jr. When an early morning phone call leads him to the mangled remains of a young boy who was brutally murdered 50 years ago, Adkins takes on the case in hopes of finding absolution. His investigation leads him to a man who lived in 1958 named Matthew Wakefield (Josh Lucas) and his mentally retarded son, John. The striking similarities in the cases pushes Adkins’ obsession over the top. Barely holding onto his sanity and bound by redemption, Adkins unravels the unspeakable truth behind what happened to his son.

Cast

Production

The film was conceived as The Boy in the Box and was later renamed Stolen Lives. In January 2010, IFC Films acquired the rights of the theatrical release and renamed the film Stolen.

Release

Stolen was released on March 3, 2010 as Video on Demand and in a limited theatrical release on March 12.

Reception

Upon release, the film was universally panned by critics. It currently holds a 0% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.