spencergrande6 Considering this film's rather putrid reputation I was pleasantly surprised with it. Or maybe it's because I haven't seen the original. There's a great cast assembled here - Ewan McGregor is all doe-eyed innocence, Josh Brolin unhinged, Patricia Arquette intense, Nick Nolte wizened and charming, Lauren Graham underutilized, Brad Dourif crazed and underused, and John C. Reilly but before he was famous so he doesn't do much.This is pretty much a shock and awe red herring thriller - with necrophilia and rape and murder of prostitutes. At least Arquette is heavily involved. There's a scene that's either pure genius or tonally mishandled involving the children's song "This Old Man" - it took me so by surprise that it worked for a while, then wore out it's welcome and then became stuck in my head like Stockholm Syndrome. And then in hindsight seemed pretty silly.Somehow, overall, this worked for me.

Leofwine_draca Another American remake of a successful European thriller in the line of THE VANISHING, this is a taught and at times suspenseful serial-killer chiller with an intriguing premise: a series of sickening murders surrounding a new, young security guard working night duty at the local morgue. The movie plays its cards straight away with strong themes of sex, death, necrophilia, and insanity and manages to be fairly graphic in approach without actually showing much.The serial killer trappings are old hat and so is the central premise of "innocent suspect must clear his own name" and, although the film is episodic, it does work at times. The morgue setting is very eerie and makes for some very suspenseful moments which sent a few tingles down my spine. Despite a rather badly-edited and confusing middle, things pick up towards the end of the film. The whole finale is very gripping, slightly clichéd but nonetheless impossible not to get excited about, thanks to some very scary acting on the part of the actor playing the villain. Thanks go in part to director Ole Bornedal, who also directed the original version of the tale so had a fair amount of experience and couldn't go wrong.Ewan McGregor just about passes through in the part of a vain, shallow, enjoyment-seeking young man; thankfully he isn't awarded too much screen time all things considered and so doesn't become too grating. I do think McGregor is a good actor when given the right part but his role here just seems to be a victim of miscasting. Patricia Arquette gets to emote for all her worth but never seems to be anything more than mundane, although Josh Brolin is rather good as the obnoxious friend of McGregor's who becomes a suspect in the slayings. Acting awards go to Nick Nolte as the investigating cop; another excellent performance from the veteran actor who doesn't pull any punches. Watch out for Brad Dourif in a stereotyped 'weirdo' role as a doctor addicted to his own medicine cabinet. I haven't seen the original version of this tale as yet but I hear it's far superior, in which case I'm expecting something good because this film largely succeeds more than it fails.

gavin6942 A law student (Ewan McGregor), who takes a job as a night watchman at a morgue, begins to discover clues that implicate him as the suspect of a series of murders.This is an early entry in McGregor's career. While maybe not the acting power show that "Trainspotting" or certain art films were, this is a solid entry that thriller fans will appreciate. A bit of mystery, a bit of bloody murder... and it takes place in a morgue.The character of Joyce is rather interesting, and a bit sad. What would she do for money? But then, what would any of us do for money? If I was offered $20 to drink a glass of whiskey, of course I would accept that. Usually that is what it would probably cost at the bar, so it is like getting paid twice.

BaronBl00d Somewhat messy thriller with regard to plot but what it suffers from logic is buttressed well with suspense and atmosphere and acting. The story concerns two friends who come to a crossroads in life and what life has to offer and what defines living. This part of the story is subtly woven into another story of Martin taking a job at a school morgue that is one creepy place. Add to this mix a series of serial killing going on investigated by Inspector Nick Nolte and you have an intriguing blend that does basically captivate and satisfy. Ewan McGregor plays Martin and is more than adequate as he learns what life is like in this atmospherically eerie morgue is like. The scene where he picks up tips from the night watchman who he is replacing is one of the best in the film as the director pulls no stops in creating mood and character actor Lonny Chapman does a phenomenal job in his small but significant role. Well, the story quickly moves to tying all the film's plot threads together in a less than believable fashion. But director Ole Bornedal has skills making plot take a backseat to suspense. Helping along the way are good, solid performances from the likes of Josh Brolin as his reckless friend James, beautiful if less than wonderful Patricia Arquette as his girlfriend, Brad Dourif playing a snooty doctor(doesn't he thrive in films like these?), and Nick Nolte as Inspector Cray - a more than solid effort from Nolte in a very strong performance. Thomas C Reilly also has a small role as another inspector. All these actors take a backseat though to the creepy settings of this morgue with its empty corridors, red-tinted embalming room, and large body room - not to mention the 1950's look for the filer room and office. The setting pieces are really eye-catching - just like the serial killer himself. I had never heard of the film before as it seems to have flown under the radar. Shame as it is pretty good.