Darky & moody movie

Rating: Null/10 (6 November 2001)

John Murdock (Rufus Sewell) wakes up in a city full of stillness. He has no memory but it appears he is a serial killer on the run from the police. As he attempts to build back his memory, he finds he has a wife, Emma (Jennifer Connelly), but is pursued not only by a police Inspector (William Hurt) but by a group of unworldly shadowy figures with mysterious powers. As the city changes around him he is told by Doctor Schreber (Kiefer Sutherland) that he has special powers (tuning) and can defeat "them". All the time he longs to return to his happy childhood of Shell Beach.
Can't explain too much plot because the strength of the film is that you don't fully understand everything until the very end of the film. The tension and excitement you experience is similar to that of Murdock being pursued and this drives the film. The city is dark and gothic in a 1930's style America - Alex Proyas's direction is so dark that it adds to the mystery and tension of the film.
All the performances are strong (Yes - even Connelly and Sutherland) and add to the believability of the whole thing. But really the mystery plot is the key to this dark film. It is a frightening look at humans, memories, what makes us who we are - but it is all tied up in the mysterious workings of the constantly dark city and the shadowy Mr Hand (O'Brien).
Don't underestimate this film. Imagine Se7en, The Matrix, Planet of the Apes all twisted into one dark nightmare and you'll get this film. This benefits from being overlooked as each viewer feels they have discovered it and that it's "theirs". The plot constantly surprises you and when the truth is eventually revealed in all it's totality it's as powerful as any of the big movie twists of recent decades. The only bad thing is that the twist is hinted at all the way along and you may work it out - but even when it is revealed the film still goes on for 10 minutes to tidy up all the loose ends, it should have ended on a more dramatic note.
Seek this little beauty out and watch it. It's never as good once you know it's secrets but it's a fantastic ride right up till it's natural stunning conclusion.