Very good but ending lacked the dramatic impact that it might have

Rating: 8/10 (23 October 2006)

First the really good stuff - great style, sets, costumes, acting, etc. A very good period type piece and solid cast all the way around.
The only real weakness were a few of Nolan's decisions on the cutting room floor. A key "surprise" ending was perfectly obvious with 15+ minutes remaining. There was certainly no cascade of gasps in our theater as per Six Sense. A tragic weakness, as this film could have easy have been a 10 all the way around. Nolan could have accomplished the ultimate surprise ending that was horrifying and hit us with a huge "oh my god" but didn't.
I suspect that he simply underestimated the audience, that we would be too dumb to "get it" if he didn't fill in all the blanks ... and much too soon. Assuming that he did wish to ensure that the audience wouldn't miss the point, he could have had a little extra dialog between Angier and Borden at the end, and a little pan around with one of those awesome lanterns.
If you MUST assume that the audience is stupid, and needs all the pieces - then give them to us AFTER the reveal or DURING the reveal, not way way before.
Anyway, in most respects I did truly enjoy the movie and am glad to have seen it in the theater - it needs the big screen! But, yes, I feel left down as Nolan could have knocked this one out of the park. So, I won't go to the theater again but will definitely watch it again someday on DVD or Dish etc. Perhaps via a directors cut DVD we might see what this movie should have been.