7 out of 10 for the performances - while the characters were often cardboard cutouts, the actors and director *sold* those characters pretty well.
I've seen other reviewers comment that the ending was unbelievable - I suggest that they re-watch the movie and look again. Obvious misdirection toward Ms. Stiles' character make the plot twist work, quite wickedly.
(Here's the spoiler, for those who don't want to sit through this twice - Julia Stiles' character is not innocent of anything but matricide, but she didn't do that.)
Some interesting characterizations, some new twists on the Electra plot, some great camera-work, and a topic that's not often seen on film - a daughter's heavy fixation on her father as a love interest. Not a film to write home about, but an enjoyable and surprising 90 minutes.
I've seen other reviewers comment that the ending was unbelievable - I suggest that they re-watch the movie and look again. Obvious misdirection toward Ms. Stiles' character make the plot twist work, quite wickedly.
(Here's the spoiler, for those who don't want to sit through this twice - Julia Stiles' character is not innocent of anything but matricide, but she didn't do that.)
Some interesting characterizations, some new twists on the Electra plot, some great camera-work, and a topic that's not often seen on film - a daughter's heavy fixation on her father as a love interest. Not a film to write home about, but an enjoyable and surprising 90 minutes.