Review of Michael

While movie makes sure to be very realistic, while dealing with a very sensitive subject, presenting viewer with a horrific story of a day to day dynamic between a pedophile and his kidnapped victim it ultimately fails as a character study. While movie does establish that Michael is a sociopath - loner, unable to fit into society and unable to control his dark desires, a lot of pieces are missing - what made him this way? Why does he seem to lack any kind of remorse? When did he decide to go with his compulsion, instead of trying to control it? And what about the boy? We see him growing more and more frustrated and unstable as the movie goes on, from being completely submissive to just not caring anymore, but we never go into depth of the horror and the desperation he must be feeling, being stuck in such sick and seemingly inescapable situation. The simplicity and the lack of further depth, while makes movie feel more realistic and raw it ultimately leaves you with the feeling of emptiness - movie doesn't seem to bare any kind of clear message - it is left for the viewer to decide, what to take from it.