Intrigued but disappointed

Rating: 6/10 (31 December 2008)

From the very first frame this movie sets up an atmosphere of quiet anxiety and dignified despair. It is a very good movie, superbly shot and scripted, with great timing and fantastic acting. But it is too self-conscious to be engrossing, and as the movie progresses, the sombre gravitas becomes a bit of a caricature, perhaps even a crutch.
Despite being a truly great work of film making, on some level it fails to connect. It lacks the will to persuade that its uncompromising vision serves a need, and lacks the energy to make up for the non-sequiturs in the plot.
Initial viewing left me intrigued but disappointed. Will likely watch again.