Damaged

I think the storyline could actually have been made into a decent movie but in the end they managed to produce one of the worse movies I have ever seen. I normally do a good job of managing to avoid really bad movies by I was lured in by the Aish list cast and the synopsis and ended up watching this without looking at IMDB first. I started off wondering why a Scottish policeman carried around a gun but by the end, the direction and the editing had been so poor that in the end I didn't care what happened. I did manage to guess who the baddy was but only because it couldn't really have been anyone else.

I couldn't say why the writers wanted Samuel L Jackson in Scotland. Possibly Gianni Capaldi, one of the three writers and co-star, simply wanted to meet him.

A local Scottish detective (Capaldi) has a US cop (Jackson) help with a case due to the similarity of some murders in the States. He then enlists the help of a Frenchman (Cassel) and former colleague who happens to be in London and the unlikely trio attempt to solve the mystery as more murders occur.

The premise is implausible. Jackson phones in his performance. Foreboding moments are neon signs. The twists and ending are unsatisfying.

There are a couple of good performances from Laura Haddock and Kate Dickie as the wife of the Scottish detective and detective Kessler respectively but they by no means lift the film above average.

It really was an unsatisfying conclusion. In itself the reason for the review.

Movie in English and modern times, set in Scotland, but apart from the establishing shots, it's not possible to confirm location by watching the movie.

Plot: Unlikely investigation of Chicago police office being transfered to "Scotland" to conclude an investigation into a grisly serial killer who's kill signature follows through to Scotland.

What new in the movie genre is the slow burn on the plot. Well sit back, this one takes slow burn to new heights. The Scottish detective stumbles along and draqs the viewer with him and a yawn fest.

The resolve is as unsatisfying as the logic and missed clues pepering the movie. Jackon's performance is way below the standard we hold for him, and it does put a dissappointing stamp on a dissappointing outing.

This movie has so many possibilities but poor direction and some editing flaws the overall experience. It is a perfect example where a "big name" is used just to boost a story or production. I feel for Samuel Jackson here, as he should be awarded for his tenacity and perseverance during this stumbling-along story

Don't get me wrong - there are other notable performances too, but they don't get the credit they deserve - it is all about using SJ's persona. It is a real pity, but this is not the only movie that has used this trait

As for the story itself - well written and executed although the surprise element was a little obvious towards the middle of the movie. The storyline could have done with some punch here and there to counter the slow burning and sometimes awkward watching experience (I fell asleep twice)

For the editing - well, this trait of leaving some scenes hanging for three or four seconds longer than necessary is not doing the experience any good. When a scene tells its story, MOVE ON!

The directing is OK although some scenes make you wonder why? Perhaps creating goofs on purpose? The murder scenes are rather irritating from a factual point of view. They are TOO obviously fake and the prop guys could have done so much more to make the scenes more accurate and believable. Using SJ they could have learnt from "7even" a bit

Overall just a popcorn-Saturday-rainy-night movie.

Having SLJ in this movie was a waste of a talent , they failed to make it interesting . Vincent Cassel just basically walking around while Jackson is in scenes .

This movie is dumb and the writing is bad directing equally as bad , this is like a bad b movie you see in tv on Saturday afternoons .

Not suspenseful at all I was very annoyed watching this film . The buildup is just slow and awkward the car chase at the end has death metal soundtrack it's so bad . The editing is ridiculous. The story seems like it was written by someone in high school . I think anyone who pays to see this should get a refund .