Any film with amnesia as its central conceit is going to leave most experienced film goers anticipating that things are not always as they appear, and this is no exception. This is also very much a film of two halves, split by a rather obvious twist. For the first half of the film, however, the focus is as much on showing the ramifications of having to live with amnesia as it is about setting up the mystery and intrigue and Kidman is excellent as she wakes every day frightened and uncertain. Equally good is Colin Firth, as the husband dealing with having to explain things each day over and over, and the film does a great job of showing the impact the central character’s illness is having on both of them. The film initially drip feeds elements of the central mystery, but the reveal when it occurs is both obvious and a little disappointing. The tone then switches from one of intrigue to a rather predictable thriller and the rather sentimental ending seems out of keeping with the excellent work done in the first half of the film. Some strong performances ensure that the film is watchable throughout, despite the disappointing final act.
