Emmett's Mark is a decent attempt at a character driven thriller. Combining the dual stories of the search for a serial killer and a young detective facing up to the news of his terminal illness by deciding to hire a hit-man to end his own life. Of course there are plot contrivances but what i really liked about the movie most were the ambiguous characters played by Roth and Byrne. Byrne in particular does not have enough screen time but the interplay between these two established actors is a joy to behold. Having been goaded once too often Roth's character snaps. But not that you would recognise as he appears to be emotionally stone cold - that is until the very end of the movie.
In places the script is as ambiguous as some of the characters with the director dangling the possibility that Roth may indeed also be the serial killer. Scott Wolf was just OK in the lead role of Emmett. The big anomaly also for this reviewer was just how and why Roths girlfriend informed on him - yes his flat was a mess and she saw that he was living a deception but i couldn't see the evidence linking him to Byrne in the pit he resided in. At one hour 40 minutes the movie is 10-15 minutes too long but still remains an interesting watch.
In places the script is as ambiguous as some of the characters with the director dangling the possibility that Roth may indeed also be the serial killer. Scott Wolf was just OK in the lead role of Emmett. The big anomaly also for this reviewer was just how and why Roths girlfriend informed on him - yes his flat was a mess and she saw that he was living a deception but i couldn't see the evidence linking him to Byrne in the pit he resided in. At one hour 40 minutes the movie is 10-15 minutes too long but still remains an interesting watch.