Far too dark and the story doesn't hold together

Rating: 1/10 (25 January 2007)

First this movie was incredibly dark, violent and unpleasant. Furthermore, the story line didn't hold together enough. There were a number of parts in which the main characters did not act in ways that were consistent with the types of characters they were supposed to be. It really made for a unpleasant, unenjoyable experience. SPOILER WARNING: Even the small bit of redemption and hope in the end is dampened by the terrible sorrow that Mercedes feels. How depressing.
*SPOLIER WARNING* Further, the scene where Ophelia ate the grapes was completely unrealistic -- her character was far too strong a character to violate the "rules" in that way -- and her explanation afterward... "I didn't think two little grapes would matter" was pathetic story telling. If they made it so she was under some sort of trance, it would have been held together much better. Instead, the script was fundamentally flawed.
*SPOILER WARNING* And finally, why didn't Mercedes kill the captain when she had the chance? The visual effects of the captain's severed face was quite well done, but there is no reason that Mercedes would have left him alive except so the movie makers could film a "dramatic ending" in which the captain comes back and tries to kill Ophelia. They could have had the captain fight back an escape from Mercedes' knife point but instead, she just gives him a stern warning and then runs off. How pathetic!
The movie had some interesting visuals and effects but was more disturbing than it needed to be and the story was simply not up to par. I was extremely disappointed.