A real wakeup call for Robin Williams fans.

Rating: 8/10 (10 February 2003)

Far from a fast paced action thriller, this somewhat film noir piece is one of the more disquieting movies I've watched in quite some time. Virtually all the cast's performances are right on target, although at times, Pacino's character seems a bit over-the-top. The script is nothing particularly special, but it does provide a great vehicle for especially Swank and Williams to excel.
It's not that I haven't enjoyed Robin Williams' dramatic forays in the past.. especially 'Dead Poets Society.' But there is something exceptionally evil about his version of Walter Finch that stems, at least for me, from the deeply ingrained belief that Williams is a nice guy. I had a similar feeling with Michael Keaton in Pacific Heights. The expectation that at some moment the character would revert to its unhinged, off-center, comedic lunacy. And when it doesn't it is truly frightening.
It does take a fair amount of patience to watch this rather slow, psychologically-heavy film, but it is worth it and, if it weren't for the somewhat disappointing ending (no spoiler intended because you may love it), it would get even higher marks.