The 1994 kidnapping of Thomas R. Hargrove, an American agricultural journalist dwelling in Colombia, already impressed a Hollywood thriller (“Proof of Life,” with Russell Crowe and Meg Ryan). But there’s extra suspense in watching the actual factor.
Miles Hargrove, one among Hargrove’s sons, shot video all year long he and his household spent attempting to safe his father’s protected return. Out of these residence films, he has assembled “Miracle Fishing: Kidnapped Abroad,” a documentary that is ready to present the Hargroves and a detailed group of pals and abduction consultants as they stay via that ordeal.
The footage captures them as they negotiate the ransom, wait out lengthy intervals of silence from the abductors and even drive bundles of money round. Poor radio reception interferes with the talks, and selections have ongoing ramifications. (Was a good friend of Miles’s the perfect spokesman? Is ambiguous proof that Thomas continues to be alive ok?) The kidnappers, topic to broader upheavals within the nation, aren’t in a steady place themselves.
Like the perfect residence films, “Miracle Fishing” can be a psychological research. During waits for information, the household guiltily carries on with dinners and music. When the abductors point out that they’ll go silent for 2 months, Hargrove cuts to black and holds it, giving viewers an infinitesimal style of that agony.
Retrospective voice-over from the individuals helps fill out the image. Few individuals on this place would assume to choose up a digital camera, not to mention hold filming for thus lengthy. That makes “Miracle Fishing” a novel and harrowing report.
Miracle Fishing: Kidnapped Abroad
Not rated. In English and Spanish, with subtitles. Running time: 1 hour 47 minutes. Watch on Discovery+.
