Courageous, Audacious, Brash!

Rating: 7/10 (28 September 2007)

In the end the story is pretty basic, there isn't so much originality. Even the way the story is told is not something that has never-been- before-seen. What is amazing is the confidence and deftness with which we are steered through this tale.
This confirms that it's not just the story but how you tell it- suspense, puzzles, loopholes that later become closed, mysteries that become solved...a masterful telling of a forgettable story and after seeing Wicker Park, i can say Paul McGuigan is a talent that can only get better.
Bruce Willis- I can see why Shyamalan respects him so much...he embodies a character and makes it his own. Every other performance will always pale in comparison to his though Hartnett gets top marks for trying. Sir Ben is always like a ghost-actor in that he blends so well with his character that you don't see him only his character (he made such a believable Rabbi!) and Freeman's laid back style is ever so strong. Lucy Liu has come of age as an actress- top marks for interpreting such a surreal role.
The cinematography is the most wonderful thing about this film, one scene literally took my breath away! and the camera angles are worked with such scientific precision. Some of the decor has to be commented upon as it blended so well with the story and I can truly say 10 out of 10 for lighting which was always enough and never too much.
The story was courageous, audacious and brash and this is partly why this film could be pulled off not to mention the first rate cast! Altogether, a great Directing effort and a film worthy of Slevin out of ten.