From the opening scene until the end credits I found myself asking the same question: "What are Nicole Kidman and Colin Firth doing in this movie?" I'm sure I'll never know what drove these two to pursue having any part in Before I Go To Sleep, but I can say that we, the audience, should be thanking them. Were it not for the presence and skill they lend to their roles, we'd be in for one incredibly unpleasant sleepwalk of a movie. Kidman plays the part of Christine, a woman in her 40s who wakes up every morning having no memories of who or where she is. Her husband Ben (Colin Firth) has meticulously collaged a photo essay of her life on the bathroom wall, detailing the last 20 years that she cannot recall. They reenact the same routine every single day with the same result – Christine will not retain any of this information. That is, until a mysterious Dr. Nasch (Mark Strong) begins phoning Christine after Ben leaves for work every morning (there doesn't appear to be weekends in this world). Nasch supplies Christine with a digital camera and urges her to record her memories in the hopes of sparking some kind of breakthrough. And naturally, because this is a movie, Christine is not to tell her husband about the camera or her meetings with Nasch.
Borrowing ideas from Memento, Groundhog Day, and even Regarding Henry, Before I Go To Sleep never rises to the level of any of those films. It fancies itself as a modern thriller, big twists and all, but the screenplay never piques your interest any further than, "What is going on here?" and once we find out, a resounding, "Who cares?" will be heard across cineplexes. That's the problem with modern thrillers in the first place; hinging your film on a big reveal that might not be satisfying is a risk that could leave you high and dry. M. Night Shyamalan is still paying for the sins of his twistcapades and Before I Go To Sleep's director Rowan Joffe is no M. Night. His bland direction and derivative visual instincts have all the artistic distinction of a hand stenciled turkey.
Fortunately for us, we do get to spend the entire film with actors who can make even the most boring material seem interesting. Nicole Kidman and Colin Firth are fascinating as this couple who are existing in a state of perpetual arrested development. The film makes the mistake of assuming its plot is what is holding our interest but really all I want is for Kidman and Firth to interact. Even when they aren't in the same room, their presence is felt. The aforementioned Dr. Nasch is also a fascinating character that is bolstered by a strong, reserved performance by Mark Strong (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy). Again, that is only meant to come off as praise for the performers and not the filmmakers. This is rudimentary filmmaking that just so happens to be wrapped around some excellent players.
Before I Go to Sleep is a stalemate of a movie if I've ever seen one. On a technical level it's an absolute bore. Its generic look, sound and feel would render it completely inessential if not for such fine and convincing turns from everyone on screen. I can't recommend it but at the same time I can't find it in me to ward off all ye who dare to enter. Appropriately, Before I Go To Sleep is the kind of film you can watch before bed and forget all about in the morning.
Borrowing ideas from Memento, Groundhog Day, and even Regarding Henry, Before I Go To Sleep never rises to the level of any of those films. It fancies itself as a modern thriller, big twists and all, but the screenplay never piques your interest any further than, "What is going on here?" and once we find out, a resounding, "Who cares?" will be heard across cineplexes. That's the problem with modern thrillers in the first place; hinging your film on a big reveal that might not be satisfying is a risk that could leave you high and dry. M. Night Shyamalan is still paying for the sins of his twistcapades and Before I Go To Sleep's director Rowan Joffe is no M. Night. His bland direction and derivative visual instincts have all the artistic distinction of a hand stenciled turkey.
Fortunately for us, we do get to spend the entire film with actors who can make even the most boring material seem interesting. Nicole Kidman and Colin Firth are fascinating as this couple who are existing in a state of perpetual arrested development. The film makes the mistake of assuming its plot is what is holding our interest but really all I want is for Kidman and Firth to interact. Even when they aren't in the same room, their presence is felt. The aforementioned Dr. Nasch is also a fascinating character that is bolstered by a strong, reserved performance by Mark Strong (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy). Again, that is only meant to come off as praise for the performers and not the filmmakers. This is rudimentary filmmaking that just so happens to be wrapped around some excellent players.
Before I Go to Sleep is a stalemate of a movie if I've ever seen one. On a technical level it's an absolute bore. Its generic look, sound and feel would render it completely inessential if not for such fine and convincing turns from everyone on screen. I can't recommend it but at the same time I can't find it in me to ward off all ye who dare to enter. Appropriately, Before I Go To Sleep is the kind of film you can watch before bed and forget all about in the morning.