Nicolas Cage played recently in some truely poorly executed strait to DVD movies in which he acted as if he would be on drugs or at least something like that...
I was delighted to see that he still is able to be convincing as a believable characters without overacting the whole time. His performance here, even if not flawless, is still enjoyable enough.
I really would like to understand some reviewers on IMDB which pointed out that they dislike the movie because of Ray's and Maggie's characters (apparently not the positive kind of guys there where expecting 'cause, for example, Ray is always looking depressed, obsessed, concerned...etc...etc...), but -sorry folks- I can't with my best will!!! Did you even figure out what the plot here is about? Did you realise this is no more "Face Off", "Con Air", "Snake Eyes" or "Ghost Rider" Nic is playing in for a couple of years by now....?????
I enjoyed the movie for what it is, a kind of "film noir" about a familly drama and a removal to a new location lost in the middle of nowere, just in order to start new again (and, of course, hide from the past ...). Then, right from the beginning, something do not fully frame in the whole picture, some events happen, and -for once!- something totally realistic the main characters have to deal with. The mystery, even if there is nothing really new here, is still effective, believable and gripping enough to keep the tension alive. The resolution of the whole plot isn't that hard to figure, but does it really matter in the end?
Director Tim Hunter ("River's Edge" with Keanu Reeves) did a decent job here (and his director of photography too) with a low budget, even if this flick has obviously more potential to become a first rate thrill (in the way "The Strangers: Prey at Night", directed by director Joannes Roberts, fulfilled it, for example)... But I enjoyed this little movie for what it is: a modest comeback for cage to "Red Rock West" with a little "Detour"/"(No)Vacancy" kind of of mood.
Seeing is deceiving?.... Looking glass.... a mirror of souls... a reflecting image of ourselves... Have a try... Lol...! And give this damn Nic Cage movie a chance...! No doubt, It is one of his better -and at least more than believable- latest efforts!