Director: Gregory J. Read
Writer: Gregory J. Read
Genre: Crime/Horror/Mystery/Thriller
Like Minds or Murderous Intent as released in US was a quiet thriller that will not sweep many off their feet. The first time I saw the film I liked it, but apparently not enough to remember it. When this review was requested I picked up a copy to give it a try only to find that I had already seen it. It was worth the second watch fortunately since I had forgotten it mostly and it is a pretty good film. Even though I think it is a good film there was a certain emotion or intensity that seemed to be missing.
The story follows a young man who is charged with a murder of one of his friends. While the cops try to determine whether he is actually guilty of the crime or not we are taken through his take on what happened leading up to the incident. At first the film is quite slow and really only picks up from time to time. This is the main factor that will likely turn away most. Although it has a good story and good acting, it fails to really bring home the excitement. I liked it in spite of this, but it is certainly worth a mention for those considering picking it up.
The acting may well have been the high point of the film. Although the story holds its own, it was the acting that made the film what it was. The debut of Eddie Redmayne was great. He took all of his stage acting talent and adapted it nicely into this film. Toni Collette, who is always the one that blends into the film makes her presence in this one, but still manages to create a truly sincere character. Mainly Redmayne and Tom Sturridge filled the screen. The two worked quite well together to make believable and interesting characters as well.
The directing was more on par with what a debut film is like. There are always exceptions to the rule and some of the greatest films are those first films that a director has made, but Murderous Intent was still missing something. If only it had had more controversy or emotion to move it along, maybe that would have been enough. All this to say that the directing was good, but not great.
Overall, there are enough story twists and turns to keep you watching, but not enough to astonish. The acting was good, the story good, and the directing was decent, but it was not enough to make it great for the mainstream. It is worth the watch, and I liked it, but it is hard to recommend the film to a large audience. This is my kind of film and yet it did not have enough impact to stay with me. The second watch was still good and did not lesson the value of the film by much. Of course you do know what happens at the end, but it is like Sixth Sense where the second time around you are looking harder for the deeper meanings and how everything is pieced together. Two times is likely enough and hopefully I will remember it so that I do not watch it again.
The Skinny Version
Raw Score: 714,098
Sharon Movie? No
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Dave’s Movie Reviews
The founder and senior editor of Dave's Movie Reviews. Currently working in the online benefits management industry while maintaining Dave's Movie Reviews. Dave has written over 275 film reviews since the site was established in June 2007. 
I have a movie request: A life Less Ordinary. It was made in 1997. It is definitely a little different, but I actually found it kind of entertaining. You should check it out if you haven’t seen it yet.
Thanks for the suggestion; Danny Boyle film no less, you know that is a soft spot. I can’t wait to see it. I was actually considering having a Danny Boyle month. Where have all those themed months gone. I will have to make a another one soon.