I agree with posters who say there is to much emphasis on the trio--- as I call them(played by Harnett Johansenn & Ekhart)
For me Hilary Swank is the star of the movie and the trio are supporting players Mia Kirschner was enthralling in her role and Fiona Shaw overplayed her scenes somewhat
That said I loved the look of the movie . My companion at the movies (a collector of vintage clothes and memorabilia from the post WWII period) enthused about the look but couldn't follow the plot. I followed the plot (just about) I also liked the underlying elements of the story --but not the way in which the earliest parts of it were told. I don't want to put in two many spoilers but there are parallel pairings and triangles at the heart of the story
So what would have improved it IMHO condensing the first half hour into a shorter period and maybe having it in flashback --- The shooting scene where the mysterious old snitch dies should open the movie then maybe a short flashback to tell with a minimum of images how the two became partners the reverie be interrupted by the finding of the Dahilia. ----Then we meet ms lake and a flashback ( somewhat longer) tells how the trio came to be. ----The news that Dewett is to be released should be slipped into a meeting as part of the investigation of the Dahlia case otherwise ----The movie could proceed as released with a little of the saved time given to clarifying the twists of the plot as I would also have liked increased clarity for viewers like my companion.
In short as I said I both loved it and hated it Seosamh
For me Hilary Swank is the star of the movie and the trio are supporting players Mia Kirschner was enthralling in her role and Fiona Shaw overplayed her scenes somewhat
That said I loved the look of the movie . My companion at the movies (a collector of vintage clothes and memorabilia from the post WWII period) enthused about the look but couldn't follow the plot. I followed the plot (just about) I also liked the underlying elements of the story --but not the way in which the earliest parts of it were told. I don't want to put in two many spoilers but there are parallel pairings and triangles at the heart of the story
So what would have improved it IMHO condensing the first half hour into a shorter period and maybe having it in flashback --- The shooting scene where the mysterious old snitch dies should open the movie then maybe a short flashback to tell with a minimum of images how the two became partners the reverie be interrupted by the finding of the Dahilia. ----Then we meet ms lake and a flashback ( somewhat longer) tells how the trio came to be. ----The news that Dewett is to be released should be slipped into a meeting as part of the investigation of the Dahlia case otherwise ----The movie could proceed as released with a little of the saved time given to clarifying the twists of the plot as I would also have liked increased clarity for viewers like my companion.
In short as I said I both loved it and hated it Seosamh