I've wanted to see this movie for ages, so was overjoyed to get it on DVD. I've heard nothing but good reviews for it, so I was waiting with baited breath.
It started off at a slow, moody pace. I didn't have a problem with that. The slowly mounting sense of dread can be as effective as being thrown in the deep end of suspense. Things trudged along at this unhurried pace. I still sat and watched intently. It was just out of being good. I was thinking to myself "Any time now, the real meat of the plot's going to kick in."
Eventually, things looked like they were going to get interesting, a great story was about to come together by the looks of it. I thought that this was where it would start to get good. Then the credits started to roll up the screen.
I can see why some people would like this movie, but I for one found it very disappointing. I read that it was "Jack Nicholson's best role in years." They could have got Morgan Freeman, James Cromwell or Martin Sheen to play the same role. It was a generic character that wasn't really testing Nicholson. Sure, he was good in the role, but Jack Nicholson can be good in any role. This was nothing special, and a poor follow-up to his Oscar-winning performance in "As Good As It Gets" which is one of his best roles in years.
The only consolation I can get is that I didn't waste any money on this: I got it free with "The Shining": truly a fantastic Jack Nicholson movie.
