Cold and shallow neo-noir

Rating: 3/10 (21 February 2000)

This is perhaps the only film I would ever be so presumptuous as to call "overrated". I understand its appeal, but I still don't like it. The acting is decent enough, but not terrific. If anything, several of the actors seem to be miscast. The dialogue is for the most part exceptionally weak, with Kevin Spacey getting all the good lines. Gabriel Byrne is supposed to be the center of the story, the character we're supposed to care the most about, but he's such a bland guy that I personally didn't really care about him at all. And then there's the "shocking" ending where it all comes together. First of all, simple logic would determine that it was the only possible ending - and knowing that this mysterious villain had to be one of the five protagonists made it even easier. Simple math, ladies and gentlemen. Plus, if that ending were true, much of what came before it doesn't fit. I know, I know - you're saying "That's the whole point!" Even considering that, it falls apart under closer scrutiny. And this is the type of film that should not fall apart. It should be as tight as an oil drum. This film's pleasures are purely surface-level. There's nothing beyond the script's trickery and machinations to be found. This might be entertaining in some respects, but it's not a deep or profound piece of work.