Derivative and boring

Rating: 4/10 (10 March 2006)

The dialogue was laughably bad, and the acting (from some of the best in the biz) was sub-par for the most part. I recognize this is a "thriller" and that doesn't always mean good dialogue, but there were far too many lengthy pseudo-intellectual scenes with no action to excuse bad dialogue. Oh, and of course, a chess game--the universal symbol for a complex sub-plot. I did enjoy Hartnett's character, but when I can see the end coming from a mile away it really takes a lot out of the movie for me. The ending was far too much like The Usual Suspects without being nearly as surprising or complex. If you see it free, like I did, it's not that bad, but don't waste money on it.