Not better the second time around

Rating: 4/10 (5 November 2006)

There are some films you enjoy seeing a second time - or even more. This flick is not one of them for me.
I remember reading a reviewer's comment about Patrick Swayze (I believe Leonard Maltin, either regarding this movie or "Dirty Dancing") describing Swayze's acting range "from A to B."
That, plus the fact that upon seeing this movie again, after a long passage of time, I realized how summarily unappealing the characters and performances were in this picture. You can't have a more fictional premise than the lead character and others walking around while dead - but, nevertheless, there should have been some evidence of just what the hell Swayze did in his supposed high-finance job. Tony Goldwyn seemed to know more than Swayze, but his efforts seemed solely centered on money laundering, the crux of the story.
Whoopi Goldberg provided nothing funny, or even the least bit believable - especially in the scene where her bizarre character bumbled her way through drawing a bank check for multi-millions, from the manager, with less effort detailed than you'd have cashing a small check in your home bank, where you know everyone and appear twice a week.
Despite the steamy scene with both leads drenching themselves with the soft, wet clay which Demi Moore was sculpting, there was zero chemistry between the two lovebirds. And the enjoyment of this scene was simply demonstrating two very attractive persons in a rather unusual, spontaneous romantic interlude. Beyond that, even this scene lacked any "chemistry," or even a trace of emotion on Swayze's part.
The nature of this story is worth perhaps a 7* rating for viewing it the first time - but 4* is generous for a subsequent one.