3 stars***
A talented screenplay (by Ronnie Christensen) that weaves its way through mystery and suspense, and belongs in another genre altogether, but to tell which one here would give the final act away.
I can’t help but think ‘Princess Dairies’ when I see Anne Hathaway on screen. She carries a squeaky clean image in all that she brings to the big screen and it’s difficult to see her in any other way. Even when in Passengers, she has to find the fine line between sane and crazy, if there is a line there at all.
The film certainly sets you thinking (which is, if Hollywood is listening, a good thing) and provides many talking points after the movie ends as you try to unwind the clues; clues that were all there if you managed to find them and them collate them to the correct conclusion, which wasn’t easy hearing the discussions of those behind me in the theatre. This isn’t an Agatha Christie classic, but it can and does mislead you with red herrings throughout.
I don’t expect the movie will break even despite a smallish budget of $25 million as sales have only reached $2million in the past two months and theatre time is fading fast.
It was compelling enough to sit right through and never be bored, even when the guy six seats down took a business call on his cell phone. He talked non stop for ten minutes as he (possibly) fired his employee by cell. If he didn’t fire him, I suggest the employee finds new employment because to work for him … I digress.
This might be my last movie of 2008 which is a shame because it’s been a good year in filmworld. Unfortunately for this movie, you only need to see it once because the twists and turns will be easy to remember the next time you see it on your cable channel. For those who missed the clues, that might be the time to see what you missed and where, but you won’t be surprised again.
Passengers must have been fun to write. I can only presume that the screenplay writer started at the end and worked towards the start to put so many puzzles into place.
Popularity: 8% [?]
January 27th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
Ok, can you just explain me the final? I dont get it
who died and who lived and how and when?
January 27th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
She realized that all the people she had been in contact with were already dead; they were ghosts of freinds and family who were telling her that she, also, had died.
Okay; got it?
Perhaps that’s why the film is at a $23 million loss until the DVD sells well. The director’s commentary might help explain things as they go along.