Bill George
You can't watch this film while doing something else at the same time - it demands full concentration, which is probably why some reviewers have panned it - they missed too many clues and perhaps didn't even concentrate when everything (or almost everything) dropped into place at the end. While most of the story seems to revolve around Kit Winter, the unlikely hero, pretty everyone else has a part to play in the structure of the plot. And it isn't just the clever story - there are other gems, for example the Registrar's face when he explains that it's too late. In fact, the film is so packed with clever details that you should only watch it if you can stay wide awake for the full 90 minutes. Not for those who spend half the time eating crisps or fooling about with their mobiles. Highly recommended.
syapa454
A very interesting movie. It captures your attention. It's unusual. It's moving. Tension is created when it's needed, so that you can't relax. The main character - Carmen - is passionate, unyielding, strong but fragile at the same moment. The mystery she's involved is carefully concealed from the audience till the end.But the way it's revealed in the end crosses out almost everything that was so good and unusual. A typical bad guy who's to be blamed for everything steps up. His disguise is torn off, the main character - Kit - is clean; the ugly truth crushes down upon Carmen's shoulders. And after all that justice is done upon James d'Arcy's character. Dot the i.Still, 6/10.
CountZero313
Writer-director Parkhill overcooks the pot in this heavily-plotted thriller about a young Spanish woman fleeing an abusive relationship only to find herself caught up with the most abusive creatures known to the ages: film-makers.Natalia Verbeke exudes hot Latin temperament as the put-upon Carmen, a flamenco dancer with a bit of a temper who seems to be settling for a safe but passionless marriage with the rich but sincere Barnaby. Along comes Kit, a sultry but slightly kooky Gael García Bernal, to show Carmen what real passion is, and complications ensue, though Carmen is deluded regarding their particular hue.It all twists and turns rather incredulously after that, which is fair enough, but the twists are also rather telegraphed, which is unforgivable. The inclusion of comic tropes Tom and Theo gives it a lighter edge than it might otherwise deserve, as if Parkhill is not taking events too seriously himself. That is a shame, because had the film opted to go much darker, it would have worked better. The palette is full of lurid colours, as if to compensate for the pasty video footage inter-cut into the main narrative. Again, subliminally Parkhill seems to be apologising for his film.What rescues this from its formulaic nonsensical plot is the performances of the leads. In particular, James D'Arcy shows a penchant for bipolar antagonists that is quite chilling at times. Talking straight to the video camera about killing himself, he is utterly convincing. It is a shame the script undoes his fine work later on.Mildy engrossing, utterly forgettable afterwards, this is formulaic fluff and nonsense that is worth viewing as a casting exercise for the three lead actors who put in stand-up shifts.
lilorangedragon5
The film is based on three premises which do not allow for a "willing suspension of disbelief." Touted as the "Memento" of 2003, it doesn't come near. Nevertheless, it's amusing--if amusing is appropriately applied to a noir film--amusing enough to enjoy if you suppress your expectations.Here are the three fatal flaws: Warning, spoilers: 1.In a restaurant full of possible choices there's no way that the Portuguese actor might be predictably chosen for the bride-to-be's last kiss of her single life. And if he wasn't, Bareterlby's plan collapses.2. Since Carmen actually married the rich Bartelby, she could have sued this him he was worth in a divorce action, causing B's clever but ill-conceived plan to boomerang.3.Bartelby obtains by fraud Carmen's signature consent on a contract to release the film by presenting the document as just another bureaucratic document required for their marriage, a fraud he later admits on film. Seems likely that the contract she signed would be voided in a lawsuit.
AD
