Russell Crowe may be our best movie actor so I was anxious to see this film. Alas, the film is a disappointment.
Russell Crowe tries his best to show an ordinary man finding the strength in himself to engage in behavior he finds morally reprehensible. But he's not helped much by the script and direction. The film makers obscure points to lengthen a "mystery" atmosphere and those obscure plot points make the film difficult to follow.
I was so disappointed that I searched out and watched the 2008 French Film, Pour Elle, that was the basis for the film. The American film is pretty much a steal of the original but adds an additional layer of complexity in additional characters and story lines that reduces the impact of the film. The French film emphasizes key plot points with script, cinematography, music, etc., while, as mentioned before, the American version tends to obscure them. Most importantly, in its first two scenes the French film shows why the hero is willing to throw away his normal existence for the sake of his wife. In the American film, you never quite see that.
All in all, a miss.
Russell Crowe tries his best to show an ordinary man finding the strength in himself to engage in behavior he finds morally reprehensible. But he's not helped much by the script and direction. The film makers obscure points to lengthen a "mystery" atmosphere and those obscure plot points make the film difficult to follow.
I was so disappointed that I searched out and watched the 2008 French Film, Pour Elle, that was the basis for the film. The American film is pretty much a steal of the original but adds an additional layer of complexity in additional characters and story lines that reduces the impact of the film. The French film emphasizes key plot points with script, cinematography, music, etc., while, as mentioned before, the American version tends to obscure them. Most importantly, in its first two scenes the French film shows why the hero is willing to throw away his normal existence for the sake of his wife. In the American film, you never quite see that.
All in all, a miss.