There are many scenes throughout that I really liked. I liked the long single takes where we see Nick interacting with the environment followed by the reveal that all was just as it was, showing that he actually did nothing. They are all done in a single take, although I presume that cuts are hidden in the swish pans; still they are interesting, if perhaps overused, scenes. I also liked the reveal of the Annie beneath her all-black wardrobe in the club scene, with Nick looking on. Also, the whole sequence with Annie and her boyfriend on the cliff was visually arresting. Justin Chatwin did a decent job in the reveal of Nick's nature, the scene with the bird. Until the final line, that was a very good example of "show, don't tell" filmmaking.
The Invisible is a remake of the Swedish film Den Osynlige, which was based on the novel of the same name. I can only wonder how successful the original film was at creating a sympathetic hero, and how the reveals are made there. I guess I am going to have to track down the original film now.
Bottom line. I had hopes for this one. I liked the trailer, I liked the concept, and I liked the director. However, the story execution is poor, supporting cast is poor/underused, and everything did not come together in a satisfying conclusion. Still, there were a couple of things to like about it, but nothing to make it a must-see on the big screen.
Not Recommended.
Article comments
1 - brandon
i have a question, im pretty sure i paid attention for the whole film, where was the old man from the trailer, who can see him.
2 - Chris Beaumont
He was only in the trailer, as was the line "Can I say something? It was my poem!" from t he classroom scene.
Often times scenes are shot just for the trailer, or were made prior to the finalizing of the final cut of the movie.
3 - rage
what is the music in the trailer? Its kinda technoish i guess?
4 - Sdlong
The old man from the trailer is in the dvd deleted scenes and he tells Nick that they're in a limbo invisible world now and no one can see them.
5 - Sandra from Sweden
I saw it yesterday and I've seen the original one.
All I can say is; so damn Hollywood!
They totally destroyed the ending when they did the bad person dies and the good one lives.
In the original swedish one, Nick tells Annie to unplug the machine so he dies and then the cop comes and get Annie.
And Nick's friend hangs himself in the original, which seems a bit better to me, than dress up in a suit and overdose like in this one.