Movie Review Madness - Searching

Searching is quite different in a good way. We first meet the Kim family via pictures, videos, their phone interaction. We see the good times and sadly the bad, as the mother gets reminders for doctor appointments, and then is in the hospital, and then she’s gone. From there the movie depicts life in texts with the dad played by John Cho and his daughter Margot, a high school student. Only child, pianist, gets decent grades. The interaction via facetime and texts seem “normal”.  That is until, Margot doesn’t respond. And then she’s not home. And very quickly Dad is worried. He phones the police, alerts are put out, and the detective (played by Debra Messing) suggests he dig deeper into  her phone and laptop. Find friends, get the scoop.

Keep in mind, this movie is playing out with us seeing computer/phone/facetime/facebook/ etc.responses. Sounds weird, but it works. And as he digs he questions if he even knows his daughter. I won’t give away any more, but of course there is banking, money flow. There’s a lot of questions for boys and girls alike – who knew Margot? There’s questions on data manipulation and friendships made on the internet – what’s real or not?

Searching has a ton of twists and turns and the suspense builds with each text, each new finding, each new avenue on the internet. John Cho is excellent as the very worried father. You want him to keep digging, don’t give up, and trust me you’ll be jumping to conclusions yourself. Who did it? Where is Margot?  I suggest you seek out a theater and find out.  Enjoy!