Mixed feelings

Rating: 7/10 (12 May 2010)

There have been plenty of movies with a similar theme and everyone who only has seen Gerald Butler playing the nice (romantic lead) characters might be in for a very big surprise. But then again, he has shown that he can carry action movies (300, Gamer etc.), but this is the first time he goes that dark. Empire Magazine said, that because nobody seemed to want that role, Butler who also is a producer on the movie, decided to take the role and leave the character he wanted to play at first to Jamie Foxx!!!
If you watch the movie you will understand why. You might also get the feeling that there have been many re-writes and that the ending feels a bit ... well rushed. While another director was attached to this, he parted ways over creative differences. And again I'm sure he wanted a different ending. And I also think that there could have been something else at the end.
My other problem was, that someone did spoil me the ending of the movie. Not very nice, but what can you do? She didn't do it on purpose, but I'm sure I would have enjoyed the movie more, if I hadn't known what was coming (although "enjoy" might be the wrong word here).
As stated above, this is not for the faint-hearted, because it is brutal and it is graphic in it's depiction (and that was the cut they showed in cinemas ... on DVD/Blu Ray it's even a bit "stronger"). If you are up for the challenge, this will be a roller coaster ride ... though I can't promise that you will end up with mixed feelings after the credits start to roll ...