Howard J. Ford’s Never Let Go is a fast-paced action thriller about a mother, who is pushed to the limits to find her kidnapped infant daughter. The film starts by drawing attention to the fact that the first three hours are crucial in solving cases of child abduction. Soon, you realize the movie is not a social commentary on human trafficking but more a kick-a*s political thriller.
Never Let Go follows new mother, Lisa, the mistress of U.S. political candidate Clark Anderson (Nigel Whitmey). Frustrated with non-stop campaigning and the possibility the affair might be uncovered during the election; Clark offers to send Lisa anywhere in the world to wind down and be a mother.
“You realize the movie is not a social commentary on human trafficking but more a kick-a*s political thriller…”
Lisa chooses to spend time in Morocco by herself and with her infant daughter, Sophia. The moment the plane lands, Lisa (and the audience) has an uneasy feeling about the people and her surroundings. While at the beach, Lisa is briefly distracted by a local trying to sell her a cheap bracelet. Lisa soon turns around and discovers that Sophia has been taken. Lisa turns around to see a group of three men running away carrying a heavy duffel bag.
It is at this exact moment you realize that Never Let Go is the female version of Taken. It appears that Lisa has a “particular set of skills” from her life as a special ops agent. Lisa manages to track down the abductor with the duffel bag, break his arms and throw him under the getaway van. Unfortunately, Sophia was not in the duffel bag, but in a large satchel carried by the other two thugs.
"…every single female character does whatever she can to help...every male character is a hindrance..."
Ok, I admit I enjoyed this movie for the bone crunching, vigilante thrill of watching the bad guys get what they had coming. As for any shred of credibility, forget it. For one thing, who in this day and age would go to, let alone take a child to, the middle east inhabited by 1st century Muslim types? Top take an infant half way around the world to an inhospitable place shown in this movie to unwind?? What’s wrong with the Catskills? Ok, want to get far away? What’s so bad about Hawaii? Ok, it’s less likely you’ll find Eastern European child traffickers there, but still a more likely place to take a 6 month old infant. Once I got past that ridiculous premise, and it was difficult, I settled in for some good action watching a one woman special forces tac team team take down any and all takers. Two or three at a time! It was fun and went fast. I will recommend it for the thrill ride it is.
Yes, agree the location didn’t have to be so obscure. In the 1990’s, child abductions in central Florida were a real issue, especially at theme parks like Disney World. She could have gone anywhere supposedly “safer” and had this happen, with the same red-tape issues; it didn’t have to be Morocco. Perhaps the misogyny was more believable or easier to script in a country like Morocco, rather than in a first-world country? location?