i have never hear of the clearing until i be really bored one day with some friend in the local blockbuster and it grab our attention . the description on the dvd jacket grab our interest and but once we pop it into the dvd player and the boredom be only begin . the story be drag out for waaaay too long . it seem to follow the same outline a other movie which include a kidnapping . the most suspenseful part be in the beginning of the movie and however . after that and the outline be follow exactly and that make the clearing unoriginal . the flashback be too many in number and the grief of the victim family provide nothing interesting nor enhance the nature of the film . and i also find that i do not like the end and so that probably lead to me not like the movie at all . the acting be not horrible . it wasn not the great and though . robert redford have give much good performance . willem dafoe tragic character be the only one i really saw develop throughout the story line and the viewer only really see that change in the last ten minute or so in the movie . helen mirren portrayal a robert redford wife be flat and sort of follow the same generic mold a other movie which include a tragic and heart splitting event . in my opinion and the clearing be nothing to rave about . use your movie rental money on something else . like garden state and perhaps .