Starts off so promising but, unhappily, the film becomes a confusing mess; Washington is great, however, as are the other cast members

Rating: 5/10 (24 February 2011)

In New Orleans, a community still suffering from Hurricane Katrina, a group of people are at the gulf shoreline. They are welcoming back their relatives in the United States Navy, who are arriving on a ferry. However, tragically, the ferry blows up near the coast, killing many of the military men and folks on land. How can this be? Who planted such a massive bomb? Soon, government officials, such as Paul (Val Kilmer), and the man in charge (Bruce Greenwood) are telling the public the investigation will take some time, for the ferry is now under water and they have few leads. Onto the scene arrives ATF agent Doug (Denzel Washington), who was one of the principal investigators of the Oklahoma City bombing. The other men are reluctant to let him join the team, for reasons unknown, for he has already discovered some key elements they overlooked. However, Doug, while engaging, is a driven man and he becomes even more so when a beautiful female victim, Claire (Paula Patton) washes up on the shore. Unbelievably, forensic evidence indicates that she was killed BEFORE the explosion and dumped in the water, to throw investigators off kilter. Also, Doug learns that it was HER van, stolen most likely, that was rigged with the bomb that blew up the ferry. Further, Paul asks Doug to review a series of tapes, made with satellite surveillance, that may offer clues on how to find the person responsible. Or, are they really tapes or something else? Is it possible to reverse what happened to Claire and all of the others? This story started off so well that the last half was a major disappointment. This was not the fault of the cast, however, for Washington is marvelous, as are Kilmer (how nice to see him!), Greenwood, lovely Patton, Adam Goldberg, Jim Cavaziel and a host of others. In fact, Washington, despite the somber nature of the film, is funny, smart, and a total joy. Also fine is the setting, costuming and photography. Therefore, what is to blame for the film's ultimate failure, my view, is the complicated plot which strains plausibility. One minute, the movie is zipping along, offering real possibilities in the actual world and, then, it morphs into a science fiction, hard-to-swallow thriller. A much better film would have resulted if the story would had stayed as a typical whodonit, for as it is, the flick is confusing and meandering, with a far from satisfying conclusion. Yes, the direction has energy but there is nothing that will rectify the situation when the tale collapses. In short, if you like the cast, especially Washington, or thrillers, give it a whirl, for you may see things conversely to what this critic does. As for me, oh how I wish it had turned out differently!