Not bad, but for Scorsese that's not good enough

Rating: 5/10 (17 February 2010)

What is nagging me the most about this film is that it is not really bad, it's just not particularly good, and at times it gets rather boring.
Many reviewers are stating that the plot "twist" is predictable within the opening moments of the film, and they are not wrong. Unfortunately, once the twist is guessed at (or even as it is revealed in the film) all that is left is some brooding cinematography and an overtly dramatic music score that fails to excite. There are some brutal WW2 flashback moments, but their relevance is questionable and rather than add weight to De Caprio's character and the plot they are more likely to frustrate an audience who wished there was more to them. Some of the imagery throughout is brutal and chilling, but it does not go far enough when the plot itself fails to unnerve. Moments of exposition are too drawn out, De Caprio is good but I've seen his range of expressions numerous times, Kingsley is convincing but his character is barely fleshed out....
From the opening moments it is clear that this film is directed by a brilliant film maker, but as the hours drag on one starts to ponder if the script were written by a brilliant screen writer. Ultimately, dwelling on the thought that Scorcese could be behind something so average is likely to drive a person insane. Best avoided.