A good idea but poorly executed

Rating: 4/10 (8 June 2007)

My expectations were high for this film, yet it felt like only half of a movie. It was very artistic, to say the least, but that to me is not enough. Just when the story kicks in and we finally figure out what's really going on, it ends. The only thing that really kept me going was the awesome performance by Hugh Jackman who, in my opinion, is proving himself one of the finest actors of our generation. (He's becoming the new Jonny Depp---he makes even the most mediocre film watchable.) I have to give some credit to writer/director Aronofsky as there are some visually gripping and emotionally raw moments. Oh, and the musical score is descent. Unfortunately, none of this comes close to matching the frenzied, psychotic brilliance of Requiem for A Dream. Overall, this was a letdown.