Sorry, let's agree that is also a no pun intended summary line I used. We can fool ourselves, right? As humans we are able to do so - maybe to see things that are not there. And maybe you can now see what I am doing - especially if you have seen the movie. If not come back and read this again. I did not plan it, but it makes sense in the overall story arc of the character Gabriel Byrne is playing.
We try to live life a certain way. We have a moral compass - either it is fine tuned or it is not so much. Byrne takes this and elevates it - his character is not really the most likeable - but those roles are the ones that are the ones that make you want to act I assume. A challenge of sorts - a challenge that he not only accepts but is capable of mastering.
Of course he has help from other actors, the director and cinematography/editing. This is really well told - and even if you do not feel much for him, he is intriguin enough to make it worth your while ...