Same old story

Rating: 5/10 (21 February 2010)

It is hard to review this movie without giving away certain plot elements which would lead the reader to a final conclusion. Being sensitive to those that have not seen this movie, I will endeavor not to disclose such details.
This movie was extraordinarily average in that it has been told many times and multiple levels, some often better than the sitting for this movie. While the cinematography was well done, it copied Deloris Clayborn in both format and style which surpassed this film. The cast is strong but it just can't overcome the uneven pacing of the film or the averageness of the script.
As we prepared to see the movie, I informed my movie partner that the movie plot shouldn't involve certain twists else I would be very disappointed. Within the opening scene, the films ultimate conclusion was apparent so I was forced to suffer through the next two hours to see an ending I already knew. For some movies that isn't always a bad thing because getting there can be half the adventure (Lord of the Rings comes to mind) but in this case, between the poorly paced flashbacks and the current storyline, there was little to keep the audience excited.
While the actors delivered strong performances, Dicaprio and Williams do not have on screen chemistry. Thinking of the awkward love scenes in Star Wars Eposides 2 & 3 with Anakin would give you some idea of how these two do not fit together.
This is a Netflix movie and not something you want to pay $10 to sit through. It has been done before and a whole lot better than this movie.