I was surprised after the great reviews

Rating: 2/10 (26 July 2007)

A surprise disappointment. I like both Norton and Giamatti, but this movie did neither of them credit. I've heard this was the director's first movie and I would think it likely; it looks like period T.V., not period cinema; I don't know where complements on the cinematography come from. Many shots had boring/distracting lighting or were flatly/statically framed. There are irritating old-fashioned style credits before the movie and an annoyingly narrated flashback. I'll give everyone involved some credit as there were a few moments I found chilling and I didn't see their particular twist coming, but it wasn't enough to elevate the movie. The ending smacks of studio interference; the "big secrets" were implausibly explained in a single epiphanous moment, while every interesting mystery was just dropped. Plot wouldn't have interfered with a better movie, but doesn't redeem this here. Biel and Norton didn't create the kind of heat that would make this a successful romance over a background of illusion, plus their primary motivating relationship is never persuasive. It gets a star for contemporary production values and another for being just interesting enough to finish it. If you are engrossed by the atmosphere you might be amused, otherwise this movie will probably disappoint.