Intriguing and captivating despite the fact you can sort of see this coming.....

Rating: 8/10 (19 October 2010)

This is a film that makes you think in terms of the terror that can invade the mind. This is what I got from this film, but I also got the message of what you can distinguish from reality and delusion. Yeah nothing really original but the story is told in a style that keeps you captivated till the end. I think Di Caprio gives a reasonably good performance - some people are saying it's over the top - maybe towards the end I felt that a bit.
I think with the twist - which I won't give away - I could sort of sense that coming halfway. The ending is a bit ambiguous because I am not entirely sure what the truth is, though you do know what happens to Dicaprio's character. The tension that builds up to the climax is done very well so I really enjoyed this movie.
I think the whole look of the film has a grainy feel to it which gives you that sense of dread. You know it is going to get somewhere, so you are just waiting for it while having the plot build up to it, so the ending leaves you hanging a bit. I think there is a message to the ending which you will understand, and can also be interpreted as a message about the mental health system and how patients are perceived in their state of mind.
Definitely worth a look, but I don't think you should expect something spectacular, but entertaining nevertheless.