The Pursuit of Pleasure

Rating: 7/10 (20 October 2009)

I haven't read the novel, and I do not know how this compares to it. This starts the success story that is the partnership of Boyle and Garland. With those directing and writing, respectively, marvelous things happen. This isn't the best(so far, of what I've seen, that's 28 Days Later..., though I haven't watched Sunshine), but it's a nice start. While this never completely grabs you the way it seems like it meant to, it is still an interesting enough piece. Leonardo stars as Richard, a youth who hears about a mythical place and goes to seek it out. The script reveals a degree of naiveté, and there are a couple of obvious holes in the concept. If you do stick with it, this comments convincingly on human nature. Some of the voice-overs are a tad pretentious. This has great editing and cinematography. The acting tends to be pretty solid, and, in order from most to least, Swinton, Carlyle and DiCaprio do impeccable work. Pacing is good. The plot develops throughout, though it doesn't all hold up to close scrutiny. This holds strong language, brief nudity, a bit of sexuality, disturbing content and instances of graphic violence. I recommend this to fans of those involved, and of this type of film. 7/10