Good Layout, Poor Pay Off

Rating: 7/10 (1 May 2003)

Im not saying the film was horrible, or even bad, it was good, but I wouldn't say great. It is worth seeing, but don't expect to be blown away.
The set up of the film was excellent. How everything tied together. IE: Everyone being trapped at a motel due to the actions of the prostitute, the Serial Killers mother being a prostitute who left him in a motel. The little details were leading up to something very interesting. The vibe of the film was excellent (until the twist). The constant down pour, the dirty motel, the coming together of the characters, the unravel of the mystery, the dwindling of the cast, all of these elements were great. The (not too inventive) twist however, just let me not caring. Upon realizing all the characters were just in somebody's head, I didn't care for the characters at all. Its hard to have 'sympathy' for the characters that are just in somebodys head (yes I am aware of how ridiculous that sounds while commenting on a work of fiction :). And the montage of the little boy at the end was neither freaky nor scary. The movie was interesting, and very well done (aside from the one or two minor criticisms), just don't expect to be awed.
7/10