I have been a huge fan of Patrick Wilson since seeing him in "Angels in America." Outside of being this attractive specimen of a man he really pulls off this unassuming man even in spite of his attractiveness. As soon as I see his name (or face) I watch, which is how this little film got on to my watchlist.
Now his character (Sam Ellis)...he is a perfect father and seemingly perfect husband, as well as a fantastic attorney with political aspirations. He is perfect. Even resisting the temptations of of a young intern in Dianna Agron's Dalia (an apt name) which you route for until you assess that it is probably the catalyst to his downward spiral. I think this is Wilson's trademark in characters...he has them so zipped up (pun intended) that when their unraveling begins you pray he puts the brakes on it before it gets out of control. But, out of control it gets in a controlled destructive manner and in the cases where it serves him, as it does in this film, you are kinda ok with it. But when it doesn't serve him, as in "Hard Candy," you pray it does because he makes you feel he is a decent person deep down no matter how depraved his character.
Other notable performances ? Ray Winstone as Coaker whose voice I can recognize blindfolded (thanks Beowulf). His character also skirts the line of decent guy and sleazeball with his own predatory degenerate behavior.
Lena Headley of whom I'm not usually a fan, though I understand her strengths (playing unlikeable strong female characters) does not delineate, and you appreciate her sacrifices (stepping back in her career and bartering herself) to create the ideal image. Though she has her self serving motives you feel for her in those vulnerable moments.
I feel this film deserves a bit of a higher score. Mine is a 7 out of 10. Also because of direction and pacing.
Now his character (Sam Ellis)...he is a perfect father and seemingly perfect husband, as well as a fantastic attorney with political aspirations. He is perfect. Even resisting the temptations of of a young intern in Dianna Agron's Dalia (an apt name) which you route for until you assess that it is probably the catalyst to his downward spiral. I think this is Wilson's trademark in characters...he has them so zipped up (pun intended) that when their unraveling begins you pray he puts the brakes on it before it gets out of control. But, out of control it gets in a controlled destructive manner and in the cases where it serves him, as it does in this film, you are kinda ok with it. But when it doesn't serve him, as in "Hard Candy," you pray it does because he makes you feel he is a decent person deep down no matter how depraved his character.
Other notable performances ? Ray Winstone as Coaker whose voice I can recognize blindfolded (thanks Beowulf). His character also skirts the line of decent guy and sleazeball with his own predatory degenerate behavior.
Lena Headley of whom I'm not usually a fan, though I understand her strengths (playing unlikeable strong female characters) does not delineate, and you appreciate her sacrifices (stepping back in her career and bartering herself) to create the ideal image. Though she has her self serving motives you feel for her in those vulnerable moments.
I feel this film deserves a bit of a higher score. Mine is a 7 out of 10. Also because of direction and pacing.