It's not that this film is actually bad, but rather it is just disappointing considering the very talented cast and it's potential to be a riveting thriller that is lukewarm at best.
Taking a page from the TV series 24 Al Pacino has the last 88 real time minutes of this 1:40 minute film to figure out who his potential killer is before his time is up. He's a forensic psychologist with a long list of enemies as he's put many in jail with his expert testimony alone. There are some good twists now and then in this story and, as many have already pointed out, lots of red herring too.
The direction is brisk and unobtrusive, but the script lacks the punch to support the director's attempt to make things exciting. This is also one of those films in which the supporting cast is better than the main cast. Pacino seems to be bored with this film and literally looks like he's acting panic-stricken. I mean, I can open my eyes wide too, but that doesn't mean I really look scared, does it? This is what critics call a "phoned in performance" that is often done by top actors to keep themselves busy until their next terrific film. It's treated like a part-time or temporary job. Now, the presence of the decent looking and okay acting talent of Alicia Witt, the stunning and very talented Helen Hunt lookalike, Leelee Sobieski, and TV's Judging Amy who makes 40+ look like a fantastic age to be, Amy Brenneman, are all far more interesting to watch than Pacino is in this film.
This isn't a bad movie and will make a decent rental, but don't expect a whole lot from this film as you might because of Al Pacino's presence. He's way off his game here and his supporting cast really outshine him, even though that doesn't take much with his performance in this film.
FYI: While the film made a tidy profit having cost 30 million to make, although that is hard to believe, it made about 70 million here in the states, it still got yanked from theaters after only a few weeks. It couldn't even break double digits on it's opening weekend where it made just under 7 million. Apparently, the producers where not very optimistic about the film before it's release as its release date was continuously delayed. The movie was actually filmed in October of 2005 on a tight 45 day shooting schedule and finally released in April of 2008. |