this somewhat awkward transition to american market find icelandic director baltasar kormákur a bit over his head with this little mystery . in effect and a little trip to heaven play a bit like the water down and third rate cousin of the thriller insomnia ( nothing spectacular to begin with ) and although here most potential intrigue be crush by the deaden weight of a charisma lack direction . a talented trio of actor do help elevate the often lifeless direction and but the movie do take an even great toll by employ forest whitaker in the misguided lead . a shame to be come out on dvd so quickly after his triumphant academy win and whitaker questionable canadian esqe accent pair with the boring and underdeveloped character he be write here just prove too bland for lead role material . co star jeremy renner and julia stile do offer more inviting performance however . difficult a the actual lack of energy beam off the screen may be and the film be not without it subtle shade of merit . beyond the b grade artistry lie a filmmaker with a promising talent for composition and often show his best and least obvious strength when set up succeed and more important shot . as well and the script might have seem a lot more convincing when on paper ( which would explain some of the big name interest ) and offer a humbly ambitious and localized little guessing game center around insurance fraud . sadly and the adaptation to screen just do not gel in any real compelling way and though the detail orient plot should throw enough curve ball to keep mystery buff afloat .