i applaud mr mangold for make an excellent film and and for tell a unique story . the motif of the dark stormy night and and the cheap motel invoke the a film noir feel to the movie . strong performance by all the cast and include john cusack and amanda peet and and john c mcginley . this movie be an exploration of the reality of the inner mind and and it power to shape reality to it own preference . my only criticism be that the movie seem to move backwards and forward in some part and thus confuse the viewer that the point of view may be in flashback . i think the story would have be just as effective to not use the flashback scene and and just show everything in chronological order . the flashback technique and though well execute in this movie and do nothing to enhance the story and or the viewer understanding of the film and unless of course the director want to that merely to keep the audience off balance .