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Despair And Hope Intersect In "Captive"

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - "Captive" is the true story that rocked the lives of many back in 2005 when an escaped killer fled the courthouse in Atlanta and took a young woman hostage. Her seven hour harrowing ordeal brought the kidnapper to a crossroads between utter despair, and hope, and both their lives would be changed forever.

Actor David Oyelowo plays Brian Nichols, a murderer on the run determined to make contact with his newborn son. The young woman he kidnaps and holds hostage at her home is Ashley Smith played by Kate Mara, who is a recovering addict and single mom.

For Oyelowo taking on this role was a lesson in layered thinking.

"Preparation for Captive was a layered one. The mental side of things was really difficult to get into, the head space of someone who killed four people in a morning. Someone who claims he didn't commit the rape he was on trial for and someone who took someone hostage that day. Yet, he had the degree of humanity where he was stopped in his tracks by her, reading to her and eventually letting her go. This is a layered human being," Oyelowo said.

Yes, Smith read Rick Warrens best selling book "The Purpose Driven Life" out loud to Nichols and in those brief moments she and her kidnapper found they have commonality.

"I think the very act of Ashley reading to him, making pancakes for him, other than the monster he was that day, is what stopped him in his tracks," Oyelowo said.

Oyelowo was so passionate about the telling of this film, he took over the role of producer. He knew right away it was a tough line he was walking with audiences.

"The tricky thing was not to have our film excusing him for what he did but still show him as a three dimensional human being," he explained.

For Oyelowo, in the end, this is an inspiring story of two broken people who became connected and with God's help found a way out of the dark.

"It was the very act of that kindness and compassion being exhibited that was the reason why he ultimately let her go and give himself up," said Oyelowo.

"Captive" is rated PG-13 and is in theaters this week.

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