Tense and dreary thriller with some contrivances

Rating: 8/10 (26 November 2013)

This was a tense and at times frightening movie. There are times throughout the film, except for the ending, where it almost seemed like a symbolic, supernatural crime mystery. The ending is satisfying, however, too neatly packaged for everything that came before it to have lasting impact.
It has some truly amazing performances. Paul Dano once again delivers another eerie and uncomfortable performance. Favorites like Hugh and Jake also impressively portray stark characters. Hugh Jackman's portrayal of a stoic, independent and religious man seems to capture the spirit of the quintessential American man.
The plot, although it has good effect, also has a lots of -- "and then his eye caught that, and that solved everything!" -- moments that are a staple of average detective mysteries. There is however a thematic and symbolic undercurrent throughout the movie that really sets it apart from the average of this genre. However, this good theme is somewhat spoiled by a very literal explanation the villain gives near the end.
Overall though, I was biting my nails and completely enthralled by it.