What an appalling movie with such a strong cast.
Just to start out, I am actually big fans of Mel Gibson, Ray Winstone and Danny Huston. Unfortunately someone forgot to write a screenplay to match them. This movie is based on an original UK TV series written in 1980s and shown over 6 episodes. What has obviously happened is a failed attempt to squeeze in the suspense, built up over those episodes, into 2 hours of drivel.
The script was slow moving and so blatant, it didn't allow the viewer to build up any suspense in their own mind. The most comical demonstration of this was in the scene with Caterina Scorsone and Mel Gibson, just prior to her being hit by the car. The very fact she had to say "Im so scared" twice, just in case the viewer was in any doubt seeing as her acting resembled a 14 year old in a High school play; breathing very fast and holding her face in a state of (from Joeys Tribiani's school of acting) bemused sadness.
The script just moved so slowly, with the occasional action sequence that was not in keeping with the story line as a whole, it really didn't fulfil the promise of a good conspiracy thriller. If they had concentrated more on the screenplay, and less so on the cars rolling over, it might have been good.
Those who think it intelligent scripting clearly should try reading a book (Thomas the Tank Engine would be a start), since the story is not complex; it is basically explained within the first 45 minutes.
What saddens me the most is the fact that the BBC have put their name to it, when it compares so poorly to dramas like Spooks or Silent Witness.
As always, my criticism is not of the actors but of the script writers. However on this occasion, it was not due to forgetting to write a script, it was just because the script was poor
Just to start out, I am actually big fans of Mel Gibson, Ray Winstone and Danny Huston. Unfortunately someone forgot to write a screenplay to match them. This movie is based on an original UK TV series written in 1980s and shown over 6 episodes. What has obviously happened is a failed attempt to squeeze in the suspense, built up over those episodes, into 2 hours of drivel.
The script was slow moving and so blatant, it didn't allow the viewer to build up any suspense in their own mind. The most comical demonstration of this was in the scene with Caterina Scorsone and Mel Gibson, just prior to her being hit by the car. The very fact she had to say "Im so scared" twice, just in case the viewer was in any doubt seeing as her acting resembled a 14 year old in a High school play; breathing very fast and holding her face in a state of (from Joeys Tribiani's school of acting) bemused sadness.
The script just moved so slowly, with the occasional action sequence that was not in keeping with the story line as a whole, it really didn't fulfil the promise of a good conspiracy thriller. If they had concentrated more on the screenplay, and less so on the cars rolling over, it might have been good.
Those who think it intelligent scripting clearly should try reading a book (Thomas the Tank Engine would be a start), since the story is not complex; it is basically explained within the first 45 minutes.
What saddens me the most is the fact that the BBC have put their name to it, when it compares so poorly to dramas like Spooks or Silent Witness.
As always, my criticism is not of the actors but of the script writers. However on this occasion, it was not due to forgetting to write a script, it was just because the script was poor