Vanishing on 7th Street

Written by Jonathan Jacobs

Vanishing on 7^th Street stars a legend, nay a God among the majority of Star Wars Fans, Mr. Anakin Skywalker, Hayden Christensen. From the instant Vanishing begins we are chilled to our very core. This is a film about the disappearance of millions of people without any apparent rhyme or reason. Only a few have survived the initial onslaught of the mysterious force causing everyone to disappear. If you thought Wall Street businessmen were empty suits before, just wait until you lay your eyes on this spooky thriller!

     Movie theater specialist (a euphemism for peon) Paul (John Leguizamo) is busy cleaning popcorn, soda stains, and other bodily fluid emissions when poof, everybody disappears. The projector malfunctions, the lights dim, and nearly everyone has disappeared. They have left behind clothing, wallets, jewelry, etc. Only their glorious naked bodies have melted into thin air. They do not need possessions where they are going. Before Paul reignites his flash light he hears sinister whispers and hand shadows seem to be clawing at his body. Immediately it is clear that something very wrong is happening and that only lights will prevent this supernatural force from taking people away.

     Luke (not Skywalker, Hayden Christensen) is a reporter for Action News 7. In a rush to leave his beautiful apartment, Luke suddenly notices the lights flicker and the power is drained. Moving into the sunlight, he narrowly escapes being taken. On the street he finds a day old newspaper and clothing everywhere, indicating where people should be. He recognizes that danger is everywhere and equips himself with the tools for survival (flashlights, water, firearms, etc). Luke disguises himself like any Dark Lord of the Sith would, in full sweatshirt accoutrement.

     Three days have passed and finally we see Luke in dire straits. Before his eyes the remaining people of the world are being taken. Darkness has pervaded everywhere. The sun barely rises any longer. The entire world has been transformed. The only solace he finds is a raucous bar running on its remaining gasoline generated power. At the bar, Luke meets an orphaned young kid named James (Jacob Latimore). James is frightened that his mother has disappeared though he foolishly holds out hope of her survival. His acting is the only blemish this film shows. He is given too much profanity-laden dialogue when none is required. Eventually, after reasoning with one another as much as is possible, given the circumstances, Luke and James agree to work together to survive. Having their safe house at a bar cannot hurt, that’s for sure! The entire time, the juke box plays the worst, most Stephen King-esque music imaginable. This entire film reminds me of a twist on Richard Matheson’s stories, Stephen King’s stories, and of “The Twilight Zone”.

     Eventually, Jake, Luke, Paul and newcomer Rosemary (the talented Thandie Newton) come together inside of the bar to plot their survival and to philosophize. They are searching for an explication where none exists. Meanwhile, the power generator continually threatens to stop. Their flashlights stop working, and it seems that the dark forces have imposed themselves on all mechanical equipment. Death continues to surround and encircle them.

     Vanishing on 7^th Street is independent film work at its finest. Independent films are rarely well- budgeted. The real stars of the show are the director (Brad Anderson) and his special effects team. The storyline is brilliant but in the absence of millions of dollars of pyrotechnics it would have been unsustainable with an expert film crew. The little things make all of the difference. Without the perfect timing of the shadows’ encroachment and the last, split second emergency lights coming to the rescue, there would be no suspense. Providing images of pictures/memories being enveloped by shadow and lost forever sets the tone for the grim and hopeless fate that awaits the survivors when their lights run out. The screenwriter Anthony Jaswinski follows through with the film’s primary concept by having the characters question why they have survived when millions of others have been taken. Without the philosophical queries, the character’s dialogue would have greatly suffered. Instead, for an independent movie that will likely prove difficult to find anywhere other than “On Demand”, Vanishing on 7^th Street is a genuine thriller. Well done all around!