Spamlet

I have no doubt a great film could have been made from this story. As someone of Hungarian ancestry I was thrilled to see it.

Here we have a case of a great story which is incompetently told. The writer/director has all the good intentions in the world but simply none of the skill required. I can't recall the last time I've seen a major Hollywood production that was this technically amateurish. At times it honestly looks as though a monkey might have shot it, the screenplay is a mess and for someone who's worked primarily as an editor it's shocking how off the rhythm, pace and structure of Gardos' own movie is.

I fully understand the desire to tell such a personal story but let's face it you either have the talent and judgement to be a good actor/writer/director or you don't. Gardos must've had the sense to know she wasn't an actress since she didn't try to give herself a major role in the film but it's just as much a disservice to her audience that she couldn't put her ego aside to leave the other two jobs to the pros.

There are extraordinary elements present throughout (especially the stunning performance of the 6 year old Suzanne) and fleeting moments of truth. This makes it all the more frustrating that more wasn't done right. It's also why I'm sorry to have to be so uncharacteristicly harsh in my criticisms of a first time filmmaker: this one had such a wealth of wasted potential that it literally insulted me.

I was really looking forward to this one.

Solidly acted, with Lohman miraculously taking top honors away from one of my favorite actors Sam Rockwell and Cage (who I've always liked but here does nothing I haven't seen him do before).

The problem is that the film's plot is so predictable that I personally felt my intelligence was insulted. Those who have seen any of Mamet's 3 superb con men flicks will likely see everything coming halfway through the film.