I'm sorry to have missed working on this production as it filmed in New England, because the sheer logistical scope and technical execution must have been something incredible to be a part of. DiCaprio leads the film as Teddy Daniels, sidekicked by Mark Ruffalo as the singly named Chuck. They proceed through a complicated web of missing patients, possible medical experiments, and a conspiracy bigger than the federal marshalls imagine. This film had its fair share of flaws, ranging from random awkward cuts to drastic lighting changes mid-scene (I almost want to see the film again to make sure it wasn't the projector), but overall the film was very well done. Though not Scorsese's masterpiece, the direction, the set design was fantastic, and after reading the book, pretty much exactly as I had imagined it. Boston accents - something that the recent New England films have tried so hard to emulate - always leave something of a funny taste, but otherwise the acting was clean and convincing. The story, originally by Dennis Lehane - author of Mystic River and Gone Baby Gone - is original and gripping, but unfortunately only the first time you go through it. The story's reveal is what guides the movie (or book) through to the unexpected ending, and once the mysterious punch line hits, the suspense and mystery is never the same. This was an impressive film - with it's fair share of flaws - but there were parts of this film that reminded me why I want to go into filmmaking as a career, and that has to say something.
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2/22/2010
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