Repossession Mambo (2009) More at IMDb Pro »

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

I made the mistake of going to a preview screening of this disaster on the evening before the presidential election. Despite the fact that I got into the screening for free, I still want my money back.

With a cast that includes Jude Law and Forrest Whitaker, as well as a plot that seems meant to evoke Phillip K Dick, this should have been great. Unfortunately the filmmakers and writer have either not read Dick, or did not understand what makes his stories work. (Or maybe they are just bad at their craft?) The fact that the this disaster could not figure out if it was a gory film slasher film, an action film or a comedy left me and other members of the preview audience laughing out loud at the more inappropriate moments.

Jude Law is very effective at times and does the best with what little he is given. Forrest Whitaker plays the two dimensional hero/villain (His role changes half way through the film in yet another example of the complete lack of vision offered by the screen writer and director.) and is wasted. Liev Schreiber is wonderful in a role that is less than two dimensional. (His, "Not again," moment in the car might be the funniest of the film? Unfortunately, this two second scene cannot make up for the other 1 hour and 59 minutes of groans.) Alice Braga has, basically, a cameo at the beginning of the film. Suddenly and without any consistency for everything preceding it, Braga becomes Jude Law's love interest.

Carice van Houten (A great actress and given a role that consists of doing nothing more than scowling at Jude Law in yet another example of a script bereft of depth.) plays Jude Law's wife who disapproves of his profession. Her leaving him is one of the main reason leading to his fall, therefore setting up the entire second half of the film. This is yet another example of how inconsistent the vision for this film is.

I will say that the action scenes are very good. Forrest Whitaker displays a surprising agility and effectiveness that I haven't seen since Ghost Dog. (In fact I would say his action scenes are the best of the film, though Jude Law is also excellent.) With a cast this good, this should be a wonderful film. Unfortunately, it a complete mess in every way.