terrible

Rating: 3/10 (20 June 2006)

this is a terrible film about terrible people doing terrible things to each other. the only arcs in character come when a character is at the end of his rope due to his or her own lack of integrity. while desperation can be an intriguing motivation, i prefer it to be brought on by outside circumstances, not a characters own selfishness and absolute disregard for those affected so deeply by his or her actions. i can't imagine why anyone would root for any of the four characters. while watching i simply kept hoping that all of the main characters would end in ruin. the attempt at making natalie portman's character the innocent victim of this mess is ruined by her obvious arousal during the exhibition scene, when larry caresses her face. if it weren't for the competent acting and, at times, compelling dialogue i would have given this film 1 star.