Good in theory, but not in practice

Rating: 5/10 (17 July 2010)

The 5 that I gave it were purely for the conception of the premise and the effort and hours that went into trying to convey it on film. However, never, ever, have I seen a film that is so highly rated by others, but which has zero character development or depth. ZERO! We're supposed to believe that Ellen Page's character - whatever her name was - meets Cobb one day and the very next day she is willing to risk her life to help him on his job? And from whence hails this bond that makes her so obliged to go along with them so that she can save them all from Cobb's dead wife? From where does this allegiance stem? There is no bond. There is no background. There is no character development. Ditto with Cobb's dad. Why did he only resist for oh, three seconds, before handing over a student? No conflict and no resolution - just, oh, well, here ya go. And as for Cobb, is he meant to be a sympathetic anti-hero? Because I could give two hoots if that man ever gets home to his kids. I never felt any allegiance to him. I never rooted for him. I sort of wanted him to die. All of this made the film ultimately uninteresting for me. If you do not have any compunction to care about the characters, then how can you care about their actions? How can you care about the film? You can't. The only slightly redeeming quality other than the premise was the brilliant Eams. Excellent. Superb. And totally hot. And with him, there was no need for character advancement because it was clear that he simply was the equivalent of a mercenary. A gun (forger) for hire, who also got quite a thrill from it. But he does it so stylishly that for his fate, I did worry, as he was the only quality that for me, save this film from being dire.