I particularly appreciated the observation by hansdewolff regarding Mr. Considine's performance: "On the other side I did have some trouble with Paddy Considine as Robert. Sure, he played the dull, neurotic, passive and slightly cowardly character to perfection. Yet something was amiss...in the rest of the movie it's just not enough in sync with the premise of a charming guy who's sought-after by two beautiful women"
I felt very much the same as I endured the film's first half...not only in his appearance did he evoke a grim, dull figure, his emotional attitude was also bleak and flat...the spectator should care for, if not totally identify, with him (he is the main character)...in fact the whole first half seemed more bleak and grim and ultimately alienating than it need have been...maybe not only at times having him be more appealing (emotionally and physically) would have been to make him somewhat manic-depressive (certain charming highs as well as alienating lows), in a sense the contrast established between the urban and the rural worlds could be echoed (in a different way of course) by contrasts in his characterization and dress...it certainly would have made first half of the narrative less boring and ultimately the film more engaging...
I felt very much the same as I endured the film's first half...not only in his appearance did he evoke a grim, dull figure, his emotional attitude was also bleak and flat...the spectator should care for, if not totally identify, with him (he is the main character)...in fact the whole first half seemed more bleak and grim and ultimately alienating than it need have been...maybe not only at times having him be more appealing (emotionally and physically) would have been to make him somewhat manic-depressive (certain charming highs as well as alienating lows), in a sense the contrast established between the urban and the rural worlds could be echoed (in a different way of course) by contrasts in his characterization and dress...it certainly would have made first half of the narrative less boring and ultimately the film more engaging...