Robert Cathles

It's not really a mystery film, as all the mystery is explained clearly. The film sets you up to believe it is a well constructed Japanese puzzle box with interlocking story lines and characters, but by the end it does nothing to raise any other suspicions except what it told you as clear as day. It is a "basic" film in that sense. If you treat it as it's basic level and no more, then yes it's good at building suspense and delivering intrigue, and is well put-together, it isn't a lot more than that. However it's message is contradictory: watching something and hoping there is something to be found out of curiosity, might produce results, or might be completely pointless. Perhaps I'm missing something, but I've seen far more satisfying murder mysteries than this in an episode of Jonathan Creek, where it's expected to have eureka moments. Perhaps Rear Window is the inspiration behind modern murder mystery and so why it deserves high praise. If this film is to be judged on intelligence, it's not as promised on the tin. If it's judged on is it a good film, there is enough to keep you entertained and the developments are good, but I was expecting more from what I consider in terms of complexity.