Even with a student discount I felt done...

Rating: 3/10 (19 June 2008)

I was originally drawn to this movie because of the concept of a toxin that distorted the chemicals in the brain leading to suicide, as told by a friend of mine.
Now I'll admit the concept remains fantastic, however, all factors excluding the concept were quite awful.
To start with the script was dreadful. Inappropriate and uninspiring, it was highly unbelievable. More so however, was the way that even the best lines were delivered awkwardly. Why they chose Mark Wahlberg as lead is beyond me, I'm afraid. Several badly delivered lines/moments saw chuckles and cringes from fellow cinema goers, not least while a mass suicide provoked the hilarious drawn out moment of "Just give me a second to think! Why won't you just give me a second to think?!"
The attempts at humour were at best uncalled for and at worst distracting and perplexing. For example, proving your sanity by singing outside someone's ranch would tempt me to reach for my shotgunÂ…(if I were American that is; us Brits have nothing more than a bread knife and scone to attack one serenading outside our place of residence.)
The relationships were never fully explained or elaborated on save for an irrelevant mood ring being a symbol of a hazy and obscure relationship between the protagonist and his complex wife.
I can't believe a personal favourite actor of mine John Leguizamo was involved in this cinematic tragedy. All the way through I just kept thinking "If Cronenberg had done this it would have been amazing!"
If you still insist on paying to view this film I will say that some of the imagery was superb, the first scene was great and the soundtrack was fantastic.
For me, I'm afraid, I wish this film was not Happening. If I were you I'd save myself for a re-make 10 years down the line when someone actually says "That film in 2008 had a really good concept, we should make it, only without it being rubbish!"