A high voltage film with, sadly, a few low points

Rating: 8/10 (29 January 2013)

I just seen this yesterday and I HONESTLY thought it was dynamite but I also felt they should have given it a few extra touch ups. The performances by most of the cast was sizzling with a particularly unexpected chemistry between John Cusack and Ray Liotta that seemed to ignite the screenplay with gun powder. They should do more films together. I am not really that big of a fan of Cusack but this was an exception.
The movie is directed with precision, lensed with some superb cinematography and very cleverly edited. If you haven't seen it yet and you enjoy films that take you for a ride then it's a good bet that this will be rewarding.
The only real negative details; this is a spoiler: Pruitt Taylor Vince I felt was strangely miscast. They should have concentrated more on the casting of his character because he simply doesn't fit in with everyone else. He's a decent actor but here he does not belong. You're relatively electrified for the first three quarters going full speed, and then comes Pruitt and the whole film suddenly drops to a lower gear. I'm not referring to the plot twist which involves Pruitt, I thought that was razor sharp, I mean the choice of casting him for that part ruined the final impact. Kind of mirroring my thoughts of Apocalypse Now. It was outstanding, until Brando emerged.
I wasn't impressed with Amanda Peet either mainly because I don't think she's that seasoned of an actress.
Some plot holes and casting issues exhibited what clearly could have been a small masterpiece.
Still, absolutely worth seeing.