When I encountered this movie it was promoted as a "dark comedy". It is not that. It fails completely at that. You may tell me that Jodi Foster didn't intend it as a comedy. That may well be, but that is how it was pitched to get me to try it. It's unfunny and disappointing on that score.
As a portrait of people with emotional problems (most of the characters) it also fails. Mel Gibson's character gets substantial examination but the others are shorthand movie clichés. Overall, I never believe that Walter believes he needs this puppet device.
Plus to whoever wrote the score, that does help get across the message that the actor performances don't, but the movie still doesn't get to the goal line.
As a portrait of people with emotional problems (most of the characters) it also fails. Mel Gibson's character gets substantial examination but the others are shorthand movie clichés. Overall, I never believe that Walter believes he needs this puppet device.
Plus to whoever wrote the score, that does help get across the message that the actor performances don't, but the movie still doesn't get to the goal line.