Watch Absence of the Good

Absence of the Good is a thrilling crime drama from 1999 directed by John Flynn and starring Stephen Baldwin, Tyne Daly, and Elizabeth Barondes. The plot revolves around the disappearance of a young girl named Amy, and the subsequent investigation by a small-town detective named Caleb Barnes (Baldwin). The film opens with a disturbing scene in which we witness the murder of a young girl. From there, we are introduced to Caleb Barnes, a detective who has just been assigned to the case of a missing girl named Amy. As he begins his investigation, we see that the town is filled with secrets and lies, and it's clear that everyone has something to hide.

Barnes is a troubled detective, haunted by the memory of a previous case in which he was unable to save a young girl. He is determined not to let that happen again, and as he sets out to find Amy, he becomes obsessed with the case. He begins to question everyone in town, from Amy's parents to her school friends to the town's most respected citizens.

As the investigation continues, Barnes begins to uncover a web of deceit and corruption that runs deep through the town. He meets a woman named Allison (Barondes) who claims to have psychic abilities, and he reluctantly enlists her help in the investigation. Meanwhile, he also has to deal with the local sheriff, who is more concerned with protecting the town's reputation than finding the missing girl.

Despite setbacks and dead ends, Barnes continues to pursue the truth, and eventually, he begins to piece together what really happened to Amy. The film builds to a tense and dramatic climax, as Barnes races against time to save the young girl before it's too late.

Throughout the film, the performances are strong, particularly from Baldwin, who brings a dark intensity to the role of Barnes. Daly is also excellent as a no-nonsense police chief who initially clashes with Barnes but eventually comes to respect his dedication to the case. Barondes provides an interesting counterpoint to the gritty realism of the rest of the film as the somewhat mystical Allison.

The cinematography and direction are also noteworthy, with Flynn creating a moody and atmospheric portrayal of small-town life. The score by Joël McNeely adds to the tension, with haunting piano melodies and swelling strings.

Overall, Absence of the Good is a gripping and suspenseful crime drama that keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat. It explores themes of corruption, obsession, and redemption, and ultimately offers a satisfying conclusion to a well-told story.

Absence of the Good is a 1999 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.3.