screenwriter-972-149612

There was a time when stories like this would have been effectively told by half hour TV shows. Think 'Twilight Zone' or 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents'. Stretching it out to movie length only revealed the weaknesses of the story line and even diluted the 'big message' at the end. Of course, a film treatment did attract a very good cast. And the accompanying budget allowed for some excellent period details and locations. The cinematography was very good. But it dragged. The story just sort of dragged along. Instead of building tension, the length diluted the sense of uncertainty and mystery that should have propelled this thing along. It became more annoying than intriguing. I couldn't wait for it to end.

Lots of reviewers commenting on Jeff Daniels' choce of a sort of...I really don't know, Louisiana? Accent for his portrayal. And, I think those saying it was just plain wrong are right. But how about the 'Finnish' accent used by the hooker/baby mama? I suppose if you moved Finland about 600 miles southeast to somewhere between Moscow and the Caspian sea, it might have worked. Otherwise, it bore no relationship whatsoever to any Finnish accent I've ever encountered. And I've met literally hundreds of Finns. As to the show, not bad. Way too much made of Conrad's sub plot and the entire series is marred by one of the most ludicrous final ten minutes you'll ever see.