Admirable film.

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

This film tells the story of a psychiatrist who has to help his young daughter to overcome her mother's death while, at the same time, he makes his own mourning. But the child starts talking about an invisible friend who seems increasingly violent and cruel. Robert De Niro takes the lead role and, contrary to many people's thoughts, I don't think he's too old for such roles. He has acted in a restrained and sweet manner, tempered with psychological depth, which shows us De Niro's versatility and his suitability for a wide range of characters, not just the tough mafia bosses who have made him famous. Dakota Fanning was very well too, far from the absolutely annoying performance she'd given us in "War of Worlds" (in which she just screamed constantly as she was dragged across the set). The suspense is built gradually, convincingly and pleasantly. I noticed that some parts are very easy to anticipate and, from a certain point, it doesn't invest in the thickening of the plot, but besides these defects, its a film that fulfills what promises and entertains the public quite well without, however, being brilliant. Worth watching, even if we forget it quickly.

Hide and Seek is a thriller starring Robert De Niro, Famke Janssen and Dakota Fanning. The story is abut Emily, a young girl whose mother commits suicide. To help Emily through the trauma, her father David, a psychologist, takes her to an isolated house in upstate New York. But instead of healing, Emily gets dark circles under her eyes, mutilates her favorite doll, and develops an imaginary friend named Charlie. In no time at all, things get spooky and David suspects this imaginary friend isn't so friendly. Elisabeth Shue and Dylan Baker co-star.It was directed by John Polson.The film has great performances especially from Robert De Niro and especially Dakota Fanning.Unfortunately, the film is derivative, illogical and somewhat silly.Also,it is somewhat predictable as the end is obviously not going to be a surprise to the viewers.

In a normal family of New York City, David Callaway (Robert De Niro) is a psychologist who has to face the mysterious suicide of his wife. Unfortunately this tragic incident is causing a big trauma to his little daughter Emily (Dakota Fanning). David decides to move to the countryside to to give all the support and make her to forget what happened, but things became even worse and very weird. In the new house Emily's imaginary friend named 'Charlie' takes control over her behavior. Somebody wants to play hide and seek but neither David nor little Emily seems to enjoy this apparently innocent but dangerous game. The most scary movies are the ones where a child plays a significant role, Dakota Fanning is quiet scary. An unusual performance of Robert De Niro not the best of his famous career.

Very cliché buildup which is not so bad every now and again; if it works..However, some of the other reviews refer to a multitude of red herrings and a massive twist.Well, I have a different take. These are not red herrings, and neither is the twist an acceptable one. In short, this movie is just a big LIE.Quite insulting really, to watch a movie from start to finish to find 90% is irrelevant. Yes, you could guess what happens in the final reel but not through any educated piecing together of what happens before it, simply through pure cynicism brought upon by watching bad movies like this one.On a lighter note, Dakota Fanning does make me laugh at one point in this. Something she says, coupled with De Niro's facial response (one of his two trademark looks) is a priceless disturbing comedy moment.