i heard that it was good. a second-hand opinion, but it was "good". and the librarian who checked the movie out for me, said it was too violent for her to finish.
my opinion?
anti-climax. a let down. disappointing.
yes, it was both "good" and "violent". but overly hyped. an unsuccessful attempt at... something.
yes, the themes were very well-written. hunter and huntee. predator and prey. three different lives that connect without connecting. all following in the steps of the one who went before.
i imagine this is a far better book, than it ever could have been as a movie.
in the end, i had to check out wikipedia to make sure i understood everything. and decided that either i missed a lot (which i rarely do) or certain subplots just were not given enough emphasis.
as i watched the movie, there were hints, indications of something more. but none of it felt answered in the end. so i was left to wonder whether explanations were cut out due to time restrictions. or if the director simply did not agree with the importance that the author may have placed on certain information. or if the director simply wanted to do it his way.
according to reviews from wikipedia: the film was more about the theme of hunting and coincidence, than it it was about conclusions. and i agree whole-heartedly with that. whether thematic over-emphasis and lack of pertinent character developing information made it a good movie? well, i would have to disagree with that.
it was far too focused on a single element. and although suspenseful, very slow and lacking in action.
violence for violence's sake.
and a "philosophical" emotionless hitman that could have been made with a cookie cutter. the man was full of random nonsequitors that could only be confused for being meaningful in a high school setting. a little lost boy trying to play big and bad, doing everything he has ever seen bad guys do on screen, and doing it badly.
i did like moss and his wife though. i would have loved to have seen or learned more about them. as well as the sheriff and his wife. the little dream sequence in the end? yeah. that did not exactly solve anything. i suppose it would have made more sense if they had bothered to put more effort into it.
the title fits with the ending. not really for the film though. they should have put more emphasis on the sheriff, if they had wanted the title to fit more. then i believe it could have worked out rather well.
