Despite protestations from his partner (Sam Worthington,
AVATAR), a homicide detective (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) feels compelled to investigate a series of killings of young girls outside their jurisdiction whose bodies have been dumped in a forlorn marsh area designated the "killing fields". Man, this is one dark and disturbing movie. Directed by Ami Canaan Mann (the daughter of director Michael Mann but I won't hold that against her), we're tossed into a world of child prostitution, serial killers, abusive mothers, vicious pimps and cops who cross the boundaries of ethics. It's so grim that its slightly (very slightly) hopeful ending seems out of place. I don't think the film's intention is that of a typical thriller but more of a mood piece and on that level, it's very effective. The acting is surprisingly good, even Sam Worthington gets to show he has acting chops. The film's reception has been mixed and I can see why. It's not a film I'd recommend to everyone. I'd give it a thumbs up but I suspect the lack of entertainment value or a cathartic pay off would put most people off. With Jessica Chastain, Chloe Grace Moretz, Jason Clarke, Annabeth Gish, Stephen Graham and Sheryl Lee, barely recognizable as the Laura Palmer of
TWIN PEAKS, as Moretz' promiscuous mother.
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