The almost unrecognisable Meg Ryan plays a bespectacled and decidedly plain teacher and a writer as Frannie Avery. Frannie enjoys studying crime, particularly serial killers. As an early graphic scene reveals she is also voyeuristic. For fans of the usually censor friendly kooky cutesy blonde roles, Ryan is usually known for, her character in this film is light years away. Credit must be paid to Ryan, she does an excellent job of portraying a complex, vulnerable and believable heroine here. Her character Frannie is compelled to record and observe the dark underworld of modern city society. This obsession draws her to strange bars, clubs and other locations out of hours from her regular job. This film explores that seedy world effectively. Much of the film is shot at night or in shadow even in daylight the film has a grainy grimy quality. It is totally devoid of glamour. The film is also big on symbolism and distorting time, lots of use of slow motion and then fast cuts to keep your attention early on. This film is dark, even the police station is squalid and poorly lit. It all serves to create an atmosphere and mood. Mark Ruffalo is great as ambiguous cop Malloy investigating a grisly murder. He becomes involved with Frannie and they begin a passionate and very graphic relationship, which is interesting and a little creepy as Malloy manages to manipulate and control the somewhat naïve and needy Frannie. The first half of the film is a great study in character building, growing menace and tension. Kevin Bacon lends good support as Frannie’s ex, John. He is not your everyday ex - boyfriend, no, not in this film! Rather he is yet another creepy, over-protective almost stalking character from Frannie’s past. Jennifer Jason Leigh too, has a good role as Polly, Frannie’s sister. She is much less inhibited and loose than her sibling and she would have to be as she works as a stripper in a local club. The scenes involving the women are touching and poignant adding weight to the authenticity of the unfolding drama. Sadly, after such a promising start the film flags at the half way mark. After everything has been so well set up and the audience has built an interest in the all too believable characters we are not paid back with a thumping race to a thrilling finale. This film cries out for a race to a strong conclusion, instead the pace becomes leaden and even plodding. It’s like watching an almost completely different film. Apart from a fairly decent twist towards the end, it all feels rather laboured and forced which is a great pity after such a promising start. DO see this film if you enjoy thrillers and want to see Meg Ryan proving she has a decent acting range. DON’T see this film if you are expecting a romantic girl in peril film. It breaks the mould. Shame it suffers from an anticlimactic second half though.
The almost unrecognisable Meg Ryan plays a bespectacled and decidedly plain teacher and a writer as Frannie Avery. Frannie enjoys studying crime, particularly serial killers. As an early graphic scene reveals she is also voyeuristic. For fans of the usually censor friendly kooky cutesy blonde roles, Ryan is usually known for, her character in this film is light years away. Credit must be paid to Ryan, she does an excellent job of portraying a complex, vulnerable and believable heroine here. Her character Frannie is compelled to record and observe the dark underworld of modern city society. This obsession draws her to strange bars, clubs and other locations out of hours from her regular job. This film explores that seedy world effectively. Much of the film is shot at night or in shadow even in daylight the film has a grainy grimy quality. It is totally devoid of glamour. The film is also big on symbolism and distorting time, lots of use of slow motion and then fast cuts to keep your attention early on. This film is dark, even the police station is squalid and poorly lit. It all serves to create an atmosphere and mood. Mark Ruffalo is great as ambiguous cop Malloy investigating a grisly murder. He becomes involved with Frannie and they begin a passionate and very graphic relationship, which is interesting and a little creepy as Malloy manages to manipulate and control the somewhat naïve and needy Frannie. The first half of the film is a great study in character building, growing menace and tension. Kevin Bacon lends good support as Frannie’s ex, John. He is not your everyday ex - boyfriend, no, not in this film! Rather he is yet another creepy, over-protective almost stalking character from Frannie’s past. Jennifer Jason Leigh too, has a good role as Polly, Frannie’s sister. She is much less inhibited and loose than her sibling and she would have to be as she works as a stripper in a local club. The scenes involving the women are touching and poignant adding weight to the authenticity of the unfolding drama. Sadly, after such a promising start the film flags at the half way mark. After everything has been so well set up and the audience has built an interest in the all too believable characters we are not paid back with a thumping race to a thrilling finale. This film cries out for a race to a strong conclusion, instead the pace becomes leaden and even plodding. It’s like watching an almost completely different film. Apart from a fairly decent twist towards the end, it all feels rather laboured and forced which is a great pity after such a promising start. DO see this film if you enjoy thrillers and want to see Meg Ryan proving she has a decent acting range. DON’T see this film if you are expecting a romantic girl in peril film. It breaks the mould. Shame it suffers from an anticlimactic second half though.